image via Beyond Zero
Margaret Kenyatta, Kenya’s First Lady has been channeling a lot of effort to the Beyond Zero campaign and this has not gone unrecognized as she was today named the 2014 United Nations Person of the Year during the 69th United Nations Day celebrations at the UN offices in Gigiri. The campaign aims to stop preventable maternal and newborn deaths in the country.
“I am truly honored to be named the recipient of this highly regarded and prestigious award.
I am humbled with the recognition that you confer on me today, and I would like to dedicate this award to ALL of You, The Kenyan Men and Women who join me every day in the fight to reduce maternal and early childhood deaths …. we are not there yet but we shall get ‘Beyond Zero’.
Ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths in our country is not a choice, it is a necessity,” she said as part of her acceptance speech.
“To date, we have delivered seven (7) fully kitted mobile clinics to Taita Taveta, Narok, Isiolo, Homa Bay, Wajir, Baringo and Samburu counties. These are Counties that have some of the highest maternal and newborn mortality rates in the country.”
Spearheaded by The First Lady Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta, the Beyond Zero Campaign is part of the initiatives outlined in her strategic framework towards HIV control, promotion of maternal, new born and child health in Kenya.