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First lady finishes marathon in maternal care campaign


First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Sunday morning ran 21 km through the roads of Nairobi in a campaign to raise funds for improved maternal health care.

The First Lady’s ‘Beyond Zero‘ campaign seeks to improve maternal health care by raising funds to purchase mobile clinics that will be distributed across the country.

The clinics will provide prenatal, delivery and postnatal services.

President Uhuru Kenyatta received the First Lady at the finish line, outside Uhuru Gardens.

The First Lady ran alongside a string of former elite athletes including former World marathon Douglas Wakiihuri, former Olympic marathon Catherine Ndereba and Tecla Lorupe.

According to the World Bank, Kenya’s maternal mortality ratio is 360 per 100,000 live births.

“I am greatly honoured that all of you joined me for the race.  Every step you took in this marathon took the dream of quality and affordable healthcare closer,” the first lady said moments after finishing the marathon.

“We run because every baby should live to be strong and enjoy many more birthdays.”

Approximately Sh200 million has been raised in the campaign.

Henry Kiprono and Leonida Mosop scooped the top awards in the elite categories of the marathon.

The winners of the 21 kilometre race were each awarded Sh200,000.

The 21km race was flagged off at the Uhuru Gardens gate on Langata Road. The finish line was at the grounds.