Close to 40,000 runners broke a sweat in Kenya over the weekend to help raise funds against maternal and child mortality. Kenyan first lady Margaret Kenyatta also participated in the event which was dubbed as "The First Lady's Marathon."
Anadolu Agency reported that the run for a cause raised a total of $1.9 million. The money will be used to construct mobile clinics which will soon be stationed at Kenya's 47 districts. The clinics will provide subsidized healthcare to all Kenyans regardless of their social status.
"To all the runners whether you did two kilometers, five kilometers or 10 or 21, whether you took 30 minutes or three hours, you have done a good job," said Kenyatta. "Because of you, Kenya is that much more closer to finishing the race to zero preventable child deaths and zero maternal deaths and zero new HIV cases."
Patience Githaiga lost her newborn daughter during childbirth. She traveled 74 kilometers just to run in the race.
"I am here for my daughter who died during childbirth. I am here because I know the pain of losing a family member or a child in a situation which can be prevented," she said. "Thumbs up for our First lady and her efforts."
President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was in Ghana on Sunday, surprised his wife after the race. He sent a recorded video message of congratulations to Margaret. He also thanked the participants for their commitment to stomp maternal and child mortality in the country, as per Citizen Digital.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who ran with the first lady this year," Uhuru congratulated. "I am amazed that every year more and more people join her in the run to reduce maternal and infant mortality and to stem HIV. Your support displays the best of Kenya."
The Kenyan first lady assured that the campaign would not end at mobile clinics. With the continued support of the Kenyan people, she plans to introduce comprehensive healthcare reforms in the East African nation.
