(PSCU) First Lady Margaret Kenyatta today made a passionate plea to Kenyan women to support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election next week to allow her continue being their voice and advocate for change.
By supporting a fresh mandate for President Kenyatta on October 26, said the First Lady, the women will be choosing hope and continued progress for the country.
“We need your support; Uhuru Kenyatta needs your support. I plead with you to let me be your voice, let me be your advocate, let me be your messenger to continue advocating for change”, said the First Lady.
She asked the women to turn out in large numbers during the fresh election and seal their choice for President Kenyatta.
“I urge you- those who supported Uhuru Kenyatta in the last election, and even those who did not vote for my husband- to hold on to the promise of a better future”, appealed the First Lady.
She asked the women to continue praying for peace in the country.
She spoke at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Camp, Mtito Andei, during a Women Economic Empowerment Forum organized by Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO) that also incorporated a Help Me Walk Orthopedic Medical Camp by the African Inland Church CURE International Hospital, Kijabe.
Orthopedic Medical Consultants reviewed 200 cases of children and adults with congenital and after birth physical challenges including scoliosis, spine problems, club foot, brittle bones ,joint pains and burnt contractures among others conditions.
Kenya has an estimated 1.92 million children aged below 14 years living with disability. Another 0.93 million adolescents aged between 15-24 years live with various forms of physical challenges.
The Help Me Walk Project is a partnership between the Kijabe-based AIC-CURE International, the First Lady’s Beyond Zero initiative, Lotto Foundation, the County (Makueni) Government and Mediamax whose platforms are used to create awareness about the challenges facing people living with disability.
All cases identified and diagnosed for corrective surgery during the outreach programs are transferred to the re-nown AIC Kijabe Hospital for the requisite operations.
Besides the Medical Camp that benefited children and adults from Makueni, Kajiado, Kitui , Machakos and Upper Taita Taveta, the First Lady also rolled out a hatchery project for thousands of women and their families in the 34 wards of Makueni.
She handed-over the initial two hatcheries-with a capacity of 1080 chicks every three weeks- to the Trustees of the project- Agricom Small Scale Women Farmers and the Ucesso Women Empowerment groups.
The hatcheries will be moved across the wards in an agreeable rotational basis to enable the 34 women groups benefit from the women empowerment program.
The Beyond Zero Initiative and Ahadi Kenya Trust hatchery project is supported by a six-month back-up and training program by the vendors of the hatcheries.
In addition to the hatcheries , shoes and mosquito nets (for pregnant and lactating mothers) the First Lady also flagged off five lorries of food to be distributed to needy families in Makueni County
The First Lady re-affirmed President Kenyatta’s commitment to the welfare of women countrywide including the establishment of the Women Enterprise Fund under the Jubilee Government and which allows women to access financial resources.
The Jubilee Government is also committed to the education and training programs that empower women with knowledge and skills that help them expand their businesses, said the First Lady
“Uhuru Kenyatta’s government has invested in programs that retain our girls in school because educating girls is one of the most powerful ways for women’s empowerment as the generation of the future”, she said
Others at the function included Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu, Director of Medical Services Dr. Jackson Kioko , Ahadi Kenya Trust Chief Executive Officer Dr. Stanley Kamau, AIC CURE International Hospital CEO Abed Milelu and local politicians Prof. Philip Kaloki, Agnes Ndetei, Regina Ndambuki , Gedion Ndambuki and Rachel Nyamai among others.
The local leaders said it was time for the Kamba Nation to re-think its political direction starting with the new opportunity to support President Kenyatta during the October 26fresh Presidential polls.
They said they had started a conversation to mobilize the entire Ukambani region to vote for President Kenyatta and reject those calling for demonstrations and a boycott of the coming election.
MYWO leaders included National Chairperson Mrs Rahab Mwikali Muiu and Secretary Mrs Elizabeth Maiyeka who gathered hundreds of their supporters from Makueni, Kitui and Machakos.
