SPEECH BY H.E.

MARGARET KENYATTA, THE FIRST

LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, DURING THE
OFFICIAL HANDING OVER OF THE 17TH FULLY
KITTED BEYOND ZERO MOBILE CLINIC TO NYERI
COUNTY ON JANUARY 20th, 2015
Muriega Inyuothe (How are you all) Muriega Ringi
(How are you all again)
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I'm truly honored to join you today in this long but
promising journey- a journey whose end is better health
care for our mothers and children throughout the country.
Thank you the people of Nyeri County- for receiving us so
warmly here today and your continued hospitality as we
continue with our high altitude training in your beautiful
county. I am here to deliver the 17th Beyond Zero mobile
clinic- the first this year -to your County.
Nyeri County is blessed with a strategic geographical
location right at the heart of Kenya. As a link to other
parts of the country and beyond, the county promises to
be the hub of Kenyan Agri- business due to the good
weather, markets and the diligent residents.
Nyeri Town is an important gateway to popular tourist
destinations in the Mount Kenya circuit that includes the
neighboring counties of Meru, Isiolo , Nyandarua and
Samburu.
Ongoing development projects such as the improvement
and expansion of existing and new infrastructure will spur
economic growth, create employment and improve the
general living conditions of our people.
This
rapid
development
coupled with
increased
urbanization will however bring their own socio-economic
and health challenges including communicable diseases
such as HIV and AIDS. These challenges need to be
anticipated, planned for, and mitigated.

I am informed that by the end of 2013, there were 20,797

people living with HIV in Nyeri County, of whom 9 per cent
were children. The county also had about 1,307 new adult
infections in 2013.
We need, therefore, to scale up HIV testing; to counsel and
reduce the risk for those who test negative, and to link
those who test positive to care and treatment
programmes. I urge you to treat those infected and
affected by the virus with compassion to reduce the
stigma associated with this pandemic. These measures
will halt the further spread of the virus.
Unfortunately, the war against HIV and Aids cannot be
won unless we adequately address the problem of alcohol
and substance abuse among our youth.
I am informed that the County Government has in this
financial years budget allocated substantial funds for
better health services. This is commendable and I urge
you to continue in this way.
These funds will complement the free maternal health
services already being offered in Government hospitals,
and equip the fully kitted mobile clinic that I am delivering
here today.
The Beyond Zero campaign achieved great milestones last
year where we also learnt innumerable and vital lessons
about the health challenges and needs of our people,
some of whom have to travel long distances to seek
medical help.
With the support of many philanthropic Kenyans, we were
able to reach some of the remotest parts of the country
with much needed medical services for our mothers and
children.
Before I conclude, I wish to take this early opportunity to
invite you to register for the First Lady's Half Marathon
which will take place on 8th of March.
Health experts say that regular exercise and the
consumption of a healthy diet can lead to a host of
benefits, including increased energy, happiness, health

and even a long life. So lets have fun as we run and raise
funds for our mothers and children.
Nyeri County is home to world marathon greats such as
Catherine Ndereba and Douglas Wakiihuri who is here with
us today, and there is no reason why you should not
emulate them.
My only advice to you is to train hard if you want to make
it to the finish line, for only those who have prepared
sufficiently will have the stamina to do well.
Let me now ask you to join me in officially handing over
the fully kitted mobile clinic proudly sponsored by the
Beyond Zero campaign to your Deputy Governor
Ambassador Githaiga on behalf of the people of Nyeri
County.
Thank you.