SPEECH BY H.E.

MARGARET KENYATTA, THE FIRST

LADY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA, DURING THE
HANDING OVER OF THE 34TH BEYOND ZERO MOBILE
CLINIC TO EMBU COUNTY ON FRIDAY, 13TH
NOVEMBER 2015.

Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to join you in your beautiful county today to

deliver the 34th fully kitted mobile clinic. Thank you for the
warm welcome.

With this clinic, the Beyond Zero campaign aims to

complement the County Government of Embu in offering
affordable, flexible and patient centered health services.

Our journey begun with a vow to bring maternal and child

deaths to zero in our country. Childbirth in Kenya should
be a joyous experience for families and communities. As I
have stated before, it is unacceptable for mothers to die
while giving life in the 21st century.

The Beyond Zero initiative began as a small rivulet which

grew into a stream and now, as we near our target, it is
growing into a major river. It is our wish that this river will
continue to water and nourish the lives of mothers and
children with good health.

Your county, the land of opportunities is truly blessed

with a multitude of natural resources. The county has

continued to play a leading role in Kenyas agricultural

sector with its high quality tea, rice, coffee and bananas
being enjoyed worldwide making it a top foreign exchange
earner.

However, we need to protect our environment so that

most of the agro-based economic activities in our county
are not threatened. Let us turn tree planting into a hobby
that we effortlessly embrace in our lives and inculcate into
the lives of our children.

We must also stop the destruction of the tree cover

especially in our forests through logging and charcoal
burning.

With Embu County hosting three of the five dams that

generate 80% of Kenyas hydroelectric power there is
need to put in place stringent water conservation
measures to ensure sufficient water supply into the dams.

Such measures will also solve the water shortages in the

drier southern parts of the county which receive erratic
rains and stop the residents dependence on relief food.

Both the National Government and the County

Government continue to do a lot to boost healthcare
provision in Embu, yet much more needs to be done.

I must congratulate your Governor, Martin Wambora and

his spouse Mrs. Teresia Wambora for championing health
issues. I am informed that the first caesarean operation
was carried out at Siakago Hospital on 21st September

2015. Since then, 12 similar operations have since taken

place at the facility.

Embu level 5 hospital has been improved and has also

received CT-Scan and dialysis machines. A major
rehabilitation of rural health facilities has also been
undertaken.

On the strength of these developments, Beyond Zero

campaign is proud to be associated with Embu County and
its focused leadership.

However, with practices such as FGM still prevalent in this

region, more needs to be done to ensure that the girl child
is able to enjoy the same opportunities as the boy child in
education. This will enable girls to realize their full
potential and become healthy mothers who are able to
raise strong families.

As we try to decongest our hospitals we must also stop

the hospitalization of people arising out of recklessness.

Accidents caused by careless Miraa transporters on Embu

roads must be stopped. There is no need to lose lives on
the roads when we can stop this by simply obeying traffic
rules.

We all admit that politics is part of our lives as human

beings and a key enabler to our development. However,
divisive and negative politics can also be a tool that
adversely affects that very development.

There is need for leaders to put their heads together

and soberly
forge
a
unity
of
purpose, peacefully, with mutual
understanding and
respect for the sake of wananchi.

Without harmony, sobriety and reconciliation amongst the

leaders, there cannot be any meaningful development. In
such a situation everyone suffers.

Kindly now join me in handing over the 34th mobile

clinic, donated by Airtel Kenya, to your Governor,
Martin Wambora, on behalf of the people of Embu County.

Thank you and God bless you.