The Co-operative Bank of Kenya has extended a Ksh. 20 Million boost to the First Lady’s Maternal and Child Healthcare Half Marathon initiative. The First Lady’s Half Marathon is to be held on Saturday 8th March 2020, to raise awareness and galvanise support towards maternal and child health.
This latest Ksh 20 million contribution is the fifth such donation by the Bank, which brings the cumulative contribution by the Bank to over Ksh80 million donated in the last 6 years.
Presenting the donation at State House, Nairobi, the Co-operative Bank Group Managing Director & CEO, Dr. Gideon Muriuki said that the Bank feels honored to continue supporting Beyond Zero on account of being a local bank whose clients largely come from rural areas where Beyond Zero interventions have the biggest impact.
“Being a Kenyan bank and being in the rural areas we are indeed one of the beneficiaries of this great initiative and we can only commend you for the mentor ship and leadership that you provided on this and we are extremely proud to be part of this journey,” Dr Muriuki said.
“When you give to the poor is like lending to the Lord, and the Lord will pay you back.” Proverbs 19:17
In addition to the cash contribution, the Co-operative Bank will send teams to take part in the 2020 First Lady’s Half Marathon.
The sponsorship has supported, among other needs, the purchase of three brand new fully-equipped mobile clinics which were donated to Narok, Nandi and Kirinyaga counties.
Since its inception in January 2014, Beyond Zero, on which the Half Marathon is anchored, continues to play a key role in the elimination of preventable maternal and early childhood deaths as outlined in the Beyond Zero Campaign.
The success of Beyond Zero is well demonstrated by the progressive improvement in key maternal health indicators as well as HIV prevention and management. There has also been an increase in stakeholder participation and goodwill, all necessary for a healthy population.