By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
Former First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta delivered an inspiring account of her journey to becoming a transformative leader at the Global First Ladies Academy Programme in New York, USA.
The exclusive dinner gathering, hosted by the Global First Ladies Alliance in partnership with Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, offered an ideal setting for present and past First Ladies to forge deeper relationships and interact with key stakeholders committed to advancing health and development in their nations.
Deeply disturbed by the high rates of maternal and child deaths in Kenya, Mrs. Kenyatta felt a profound calling to advocate for mothers and children.
According to the Office of the former President, the personal commitment was solidified in her founding of the Beyond Zero Kenya Initiative, which became a beacon of hope under her guidance, demonstrating how a singular, well-executed idea can have far-reaching implications.
The former First Lady’s efforts included participating in marathons to raise awareness and resources for maternal and child health.
Her determination led her to participate in the renowned London Marathon, an event that significantly increased the visibility of maternal health issues on an international stage.
“I committed to run the famous London Marathon—all 42 kilometres of it! I hoped to elevate the visibility of this important issue in the international arena and raise funds to support my cause,” she explained.
Mrs. Kenyatta emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving lasting change, acknowledging the various partners and collective efforts that fueled the Beyond Zero movement.
“Leveraging my multiple roles as First Lady was made possible because of the ripple effect of the solid partnerships and friends we made along the way. It demonstrated how collective efforts towards a shared destiny can bring transformative change,” she emphasized.
The expedition with Beyond Zero serves as evidence of the effectiveness of purpose-driven leadership and the enduring impact of dedicated advocacy.