SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY MARGARET KENYATTA

FIRST LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING

THE HANDING-OVER CEREMONY OF THE 44 TH FULLY
KITTED BEYOND ZERO MOBILE CLINIC TO TANARIVER COUNTY AT HOLA STADIUM ON AUGUST 4 TH,
2016.

Asalaam Alekum! Hamjambo.

Governor Dado, thank you, together with the
people of Tana River for extending such a gracious
reception to me and to my team. I am very happy
to be visiting Tana River County for the very first
time, to enjoy your beautiful and expansive county.
County First Lady Asha Dado, I am so pleased to
hear about your work in uplifting the welfare of
women and children in this community. I am
extremely encouraged when I hear about the hard
work and dedication County First Ladies all over
the country are putting into making a difference to
the lives of children, women and men. I have seen
this in the 43 counties that I have visited across
Kenya, and today I see it here.
Today, we come together as partners who have
passion and deep concern for advancing the health
of all citizens: health of our mothers and our
fathers, health of our sisters and our brothers and
most importantly, the health of our children. For
me, it has been the privilege of a lifetime to
dedicate time and energy towards saving lives of
mothers and children.
This County has done a fantastic job of keeping the
HIV virus at bay. The 1 to 2% HIV prevalence rate is
among the lowest in the Kenya and this deserves

our recognition for setting that standard. In

addition, your County has gained recognition for
success under the Mother to Mother mentorship
programme.
I am aware of the Countys investment in
healthcare infrastructure, including the expansion
of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) unit at the
Hola Referral Hospital which I visited this morning
and laid a foundation stone. I look forward to
witnessing the completion of this building and
hearing about the difference it will make to the
health of mothers and children.
We continue to be reminded that there are still
problems to solve, targets to reach and milestones
to be met. Sadly, the number of mothers dying
while giving birth in this County is extremely high.
This is also true for children who die at birth, or do
not get beyond the age of 5. So many pregnant
women still do not take advantage of the free
maternity services offered by the Government,
neither do they attend the recommended four
antenatal visits. However, all this can change if we
promise to work together towards safe deliveries.
Bringing down the number of unnecessary deaths
in Kenya will take dedication and collaboration by a
wide range of stakeholders to address the many
issues that challenge us.
My being here with you today is because I truly
believe that this County has what it takes to
be innovative and to provide health services to
cater to the unique needs of the nomadic
communities in this area. Your County Government

intends to revamp existing health facilities and to

train and deploy more health professionals.
For sustainable change in the long run however, we
must keep our children in school and shun cultural
practices that do not protect our girls and women.
Governor Dado, partners and friends, every mother
in this county and across Kenya -must understand
why she needs to give birth in a safe, clean and
well-equipped health facility. Our citizens must also
have access to quality health care.
I believe we can and must do these things and that
every single action counts. It is for this reason that
I am here today to deliver the 44th Mobile Medical
clinic kindly donated by our long term partners
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).
This is not only a gift from the bank, but from
Kenyans across the Country - from all walks of life.
My visit here will not be the end of our working
together. For me, the work is just beginning, and I
truly look forward to continuing to partner with
you, Governor Dado, and with all the people of this
great County, to finish the good work that you
have started.

Thank you and God Bless you all.