First Lady Margaret Kenyatta with children from Mama Ngina Children's Home in Kisumu before the official handing-over ceremony of the 24th fully kitted 'Beyond Zero' mobile clinic to Kisumu County Government at Otieno Oyoo High School Grounds on April 30, 2015. PHOTO | TOM OTIENO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Politicians from Kisumu County have asked First Lady Margaret Kenyatta to use her position to unite President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The MPs, Fred Outta (Nyando), Aduma Awuor (Nyakach) and Rose Nyamunga (Kisumu County), said on Thursday that Mrs Kenyatta‘s Beyond Zero Campaign which seeks to reduce maternal and child mortality, can bring peace in all the 47 counties.
They asked her to be an ambassador of peace and reconciliation.
Mrs Nyamunga asked the First Lady to use her influence to unite Kenyans.
“With your influence you have been able to do a lot to the women and children of this country. I believe if given the chance and through our request, you can unite our leaders,” Mrs Nyamunga said during the launch of the Beyond Zero Mobile clinic in Kisumu on Thursday.
Mr Awuor asked President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga to work closely to improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.
KENYATTA-RAILA DANCE
The MP said that they were delighted to see the two leaders together during the annual devolution conference in Kisumu last week.
“We saw the two dancing closely during the conference but that was just a dance. We need to see them working together to transform this country,” he said.
Mr Outa said Kenyans are yearning for peace and reconciliation.
“We are sure that with her position and what she has done for the counties, she can do the same to our leaders by just starting a reconciliation campaign,” said Mr Outa.
Mrs Kenyatta, who donated a mobile clinic to Kisumu County rallied Kenyans to support her campaign.
She said Kisumu was the 24th county to receive a mobile clinic.
She said Kisumu was the 24th county to receive a mobile clinic.
“I assure you that I will remain committed to delivering the promise of improving family health care and to keep mothers and children alive,” said Mrs Kenyatta.
The ambulance has a doctor’s office, room for minor surgeries, HIV and Aids testing and counseling, antenatal and postnatal clinics.
SUPPORTS FIRST LADY
Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma said the region supports Mrs Kenyatta’s initiative, as Kisumu was one of those with poor health indicators in the country.
“Kisumu County is ranked among the top 15 counties that contribute 95 per cent of maternal deaths in Kenya. Yet it is also sad that we are second with the highest prevalence of HIV and Aids,” said Mr Ranguma.
He said the County will develop an appropriate strategy to ensure that all expectant mothers give birth in hospitals.
Mrs Olivia Ranguma, said lack of funds had made it difficult for county governments to address health challenges facing women in the region.
“But we are grateful about the creative projects by Mrs Kenyatta. We are here because we want no child to die from preventable causes anymore,” she said.
Nominated Senator Joy Gwendo urged other politicians to emulate the First Lady’s reconciliatory tone.
“If she was like other politicians who have taken their differences too far, she would not have come to Kisumu, but she has vowed to stay out of politics and work for the people of Kenya and this is what we are looking for, leaders without boundaries,” she said.
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