First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has been awarded the prestigious Eastern Africa Lifetime Achievement Award for her relentless efforts to stop preventable maternal and newborn deaths in the country through her Beyond Zero initiative.
The recognition also considered the First Lady’s sustained efforts towards the elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, an intervention that has led to a significant reduction of new transmissions among newborn babies.
Mrs Kenyatta was awarded for her efforts to stop preventable maternal and newborn deaths through her ‘Beyond Zero’ initiative.
The First Lady’s sustained efforts towards the elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV was also part of the reason she was awarded.
She received the award from the EY Group during the organization’s 2018 gala dinner held at a Nairobi hotel Wednesday evening.
EY’s Chief Executive Officer Gitahi Gachachi described the First Lady as a global icon whose efforts had touched millions of Kenyans.
While accepting her award, First Lady Kenyatta stated that she was excited to receive the honour adding that Beyond Zero lies at the heart of the award.
She said Beyond Zero had impacted many vulnerable communities with access to quality and affordable healthcare through 52 fully kitted mobile clinics and through the recently launched medical safaris.
The EY Lifetime Achievement Award is a special honour that recognizes individuals who have initiated unique interventions that end up touching many lives.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has received various awards over the last five years in recognition of her efforts through the Beyond Zero initiative. The First Lady said she was excited to receive the honour adding that Beyond Zero lies at the heart of the award.
I recognise the unique role that the private sector plays, alongside millions of Kenyans. Together we have impacted many vulnerable & marginalized communities with access to quality and affordable health care. My profound gratitude for being part of our journey #EYEntrepreneurs pic.twitter.com/PHwkNSeu0v
— The First Lady Kenya (@FirstLadyKenya) December 5, 2018
“I humbly accept the 2018 EY Eastern Africa Life Time Achievement award with profound gratitude. Thank you for the recognition you have extended to me. At the heart of this award is the recognition of Beyond Zero,” she said.
She added Beyond Zero and its partners had impacted many vulnerable and marginalized communities with access to quality and affordable healthcare through 52 fully kitted mobile clinics and through the recently launched medical safaris.
“All of you seated here have been part of our journey in one way or another, and I am grateful for your help,” said the First Lady.
Among the 10,000 nominees for the EY awards, Narendra Raval, founder and chairman of Devki Group emerged the winner for the Master category award while Lizzie Wanyoike (teacher and founder of the Nairobi Institute of Business Studies, NIBS) took the winning woman category award.