In order to improve maternal and child health outcomes in the country, the First Lady of Kenya, Margaret Kenyatta launched the ‘Beyond Zero Campaign’ on 24 January 2014 in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.
On Friday, September 2016, the First Lady Margret Kenyatta and her Beyond Zero team started off the campaign with the aim to reach Kenya’s 47th county. The team was to donate at a ceremony, the 47th Level 4 hospital on the wheels in a bid to curb the rampant maternal deaths that had plagued Kenya for decades.
The name, Beyond Zero was coined by the head of communications and advocacy at the office of the first lady, Bruce Odhiambo.
Odhiambo gave an insight on why they chose that particular name. When the campaign began, the whole team was in a conundrum, they wanted a truck that could house a level 4 hospital. The closest they got to it were Kenyan companies that were offering to make ambulances instead. The only choice left was to import such trucks which would even push the costs higher than they already were. A level 4 hospital on wheels sounded like a feat no Kenyan company was willing to attempt.
That was until Rita Kavashe, the Marketing Director at General Motors East Africa drove a huge truck to the office of the first lady one morning and told the team that she had what they were looking for.
It was a relief to the team that had for months, been sending countless emails to prospective motoring companies in a bid to have the trucks made for the initiative.
It was a relief to the team that had for months, been sending countless emails to prospective motoring companies in a bid to have the trucks made for the initiative. The deal was struck between the office and General Motors. So far, 46 level 4 hospitals have been dispatched to 46 counties in Kenya awaiting the grand finale on Friday, September 9 when the campaign will hit the peak. The whole team was put together by Constance Gakonyo, the chief of staff at the office of the first lady and the woman who is responsible for the synergy that the team is known for.
Bruce was a brave man who had the concerns of all to be mothers .RIP bruce