Dangote among top donors to First Lady’s Beyond Zero drive

Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote is among the major contributors to First Lady Margaret Kenyatta’s Beyond Zero campaign.

In the last financial year, the Nigerian’s flagship company Dangote Group sponsored three mobile clinics, ranking second in the list of private sector sponsors.

In April 2014 the government issued an operating licence to the Mr Dangote’s conglomerate, Dangote Cement, paving the way for the building of a $400 million (Sh34.4 billion) plant.

He has since been given the go ahead to prospect for limestone in Kanziku-Simisi, Kitui South sub-county, by the county government.

British company Tullow Oil, currently drilling exploratory oil wells in the country, has donated seven mobile clinics to the cause that seeks to end maternal and infant mortality.

According to the campaign’s technical report for 2014-2015 only one parastatal, Kenya Pipeline, has donated a mobile clinic to the cause.

KCB, Bank of Africa, Co-operative Bank have each donated one clinic while Equity Bank tops the list of bank donors, having given three clinics to the initiative.

Other private sector sponsors include General Motors, Sameer Group, Britam and East African Breweries.

The campaign has already secured mobile clinics for six counties this financial year and is hoping to raise enough funds to purchase units for the remaining 11 counties.

This year, the campaign is looking to raise over Sh100 million from the 70,000 participants that it is targeting with the marathons, having been able to raise Sh540 million since inception.

READ: First Lady targets 70,000 in run for better health

Speaking during the launch of the marathon at State House on Tuesday, Mrs Kenyatta said public-private partnerships had been a driving force that contributed to the milestones achieved by the campaign.

The 21km, 5km and 2km runs take place annually in March.

While there have been numerous efforts towards reduction of infant and maternal mortality, over 5,500 Kenyan women still die annually due to pregnancy complications.

According to the 2014 Kenya Demographic Health Survey, one out of 26 Kenyan children die before reaching the age of one.

“Kenya continues to rank in the top-10 African countries where maternal health and child mortality lags. Kenya, is perceived as one of the most dangerous countries for a woman to be pregnant, and give birth,” she said, calling for innovative approaches to address the high numbers.