1St Lady Granted Un İn Kenya's 'Person Of Year' Award

Kenyan First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has won the United Nations in Kenya "Person of the Year" award for 2014.



"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," Mrs. Kenyatta said at an award ceremony at the U.N. complex in Nairobi.



The first lady was awarded the prize for her "Beyond Zero" campaign, which aims to eradicate preventable maternal and child mortality in Kenya.



"Ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths in our country is not a choice, it is a necessity," she said. "Childbirth should be a joyous moment for families and communities, not a period of loss and mourning."



Since the campaign was launched, the first lady has sent seven mobile clinics to Kenya's most affected areas.



To date, she said, "We have delivered seven 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," she added.



"I am committed to ensuring that each of our 47 counties has a fully-equipped mobile clinic, because no more women should die while giving life and no more babies should die from preventable causes," she asserted.



Mrs. Kenyatta said that her efforts alone would not be enough to eradicate the phenomenon, going on to urge Kenyans to provide support in addressing other social determinants, such as education, sanitation and the provision of clean water.



"Your support, together with the support of many others, is saving and transforming the lives of many Kenyan women and children," she said.



Madam Fanis Lisiagali, the runner-up for the award, received a certificate at the ceremony for her work in healthcare assistance for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.



By Magdalene Mukami



englishnews@aa.com.tr



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