Africa-Press – Kenya. Former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has presided over the closing ceremony of the inaugural Leadership Programme for County Social Transformation in Mombasa.
The event was held on Saturday at Sarova Whitesands Hotel.
The caucus gathered County First Ladies from Kilifi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Migori, West Pokot, Kakamega, Narok, Siaya and Bomet to engage in strategic discussions and initiatives focused on promoting social change at the grassroots level.
Mama Margaret extended her gratitude to the participating County First Ladies for their involvement in the event.
“We applaud you for your diverse aspirations, in what may sometimes be uncharted paths or challenging roles you play to make a difference in your communities,” she said.
Beyond Zero Initiative has partnered with the Kenya School of Government (KSG), the oldest public sector training institute in the country, to establish the Margaret Kenyatta Institute (MKI).
The establishment of the MKI and initiatives such as the Leadership Programme for County Social Transformation highlight the broader recognition of women’s crucial role in driving economic growth and social progress.
In her address to the first cohorts of the programme, Mama Margaret noted that the vision, mission and mandate of the Institute, which is embedded in the KSG’s core mandate, is to transform society through services and programs.
The programmes are aimed at promoting social justice, gender equality, wellness and health, and empowerment.
Initiatives such as the Leadership Programme for County Social Transformation highlight the increasing recognition of the essential role women play in fostering both economic development and social advancement.
Acknowledging this, Mama Margaret said, “I hope that the case studies and experiential learning reflect the opportunities to help you overcome challenges and promote continuous engagement in the future.”
During the week-long event, the First Ladies were introduced to a range of strategies and initiatives to promote social change in their respective counties.
Notable speakers included Lady Justice Njoki Ndungu, former First Lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Nicole Brzeski and Cora Neumann of the Global First Ladies Association, Lucy Mathenge from UN Women, and Jacqueline Wambua from ROCHE E.A, among others.
The discussions revolved around topics such as the interface between government and politics, gender and social development, legacy building for enduring impact, championing causes for social transformation, philanthropy and resource mobilization, and partnerships.
The former First Lady expressed her belief that the training will empower County First Ladies to champion noble causes in their respective regions, contributing to a brighter future for all.
Present were Chairperson of the Kenya School of Government Justice Charles Nyachae, Acting Director of MKI Lynette Otwori and senior administrative officials from KSG.
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