Sh540M raised in Beyond Zero campaign – Margaret Kenyatta

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has reaffirmed her commitment to the Beyond Zero campaign, an initiative aimed at improving healthcare access across the county.

Speaking when she launched the third edition of the First Lady’s Half Marathon 2016 at State House in Nairobi, the first lady said the initiative has achieved key success through the support of various partners, noting that the campaign has raised Sh540 million besides receiving medical equipment and kits.

“The unique private-public sector partnership, individual philanthropists, the media, the UN family, national and county governments have all contributed to these milestones”

Mrs Kenyatta also registered as the marathon’s first participant and called on Kenyans to register for the event in large numbers – either for the 21 Km, 10Km or 5km races. The marathon will be flagged off at Nyayo Stadium.

The marathons are aimed at creating awareness and mobilising resources to fund Beyond Zero activities especially the acquisition of mobile clinics that the initiative has been distributing to the devolved units.

The marathon is an initiative of the First Lady that takes place at the beginning of every March, which coincides with this year’s International Women’s Day.

The event is targeting a record of 70,000 men and women, up from 50,000 participants in last year.

According to the figures released, 36 out of 47 counties have benefited from the fully kitted clinics with significant impact on maternal and child health at the grassroots, immunisation programs and reduction of HIV/Aids infections.

The function was attended by diplomats, government departments,  the corporates, the media, UN agencies, spouses of county governors, members of women parliamentary association and  the civil society among others.

Besides the Half Marathon in Nairobi last year, the First Lady also featured in the London Half Marathon in 2014.

@benjaminwafula