Margaret Kenyatta: Why I chose running over high office
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta received a standing ovation from an attentive audience in Arizona, US on Friday after explaining why she chose to run marathons rather than enjoy the comfort and trappings of her status.
The First Lady was speaking to corporate heads, investors and political leaders at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Resort where she attended a First Lady’s fund-raising luncheon.
The event was attended by over 1500 supporters and sponsors of her organisation Beyond Zero initiative.
“I have spent a significant portion of my time as First Lady running marathons and I can understand if that doesn’t immediately strike you as behaviour befitting the wife of a Head of State, but I assure you, it has all been for the greater good,” Mrs Kenyatta said.
FIRST LADY HALF MARATHON
She went ahead to show a video clip of herself running at the annual First Lady Half Marathon that is in its third year now.
“It is a race to save lives. It is a race against time,” she said of the annual event.
The funds raised during the luncheon will enable Project C.U.R.E – an international medical supplies relief organisation operating in over 130 countries – to ship more medical supplies to Kenya.
The first such consignment worth Sh40 million and destined for Chemolingot Hospital, East Pokot, in Baringo County will arrive in Kenya in the next two months.