First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has expressed her willingness to support activities aimed at conserving and protecting pangolins, which are among the world’s most endangered creatures.
The First Lady stated that her commitment to conservation activities will not be limited to pangolins, but will include all animals.
The First Lady spoke today at State House, Nairobi, where she met a group dedicated to the protection and conservation of pangolins through an initiative known as the ‘Pangolin Project,’ which paid her a courtesy call.
“I want to assure you that you have my support and I will say Hands-off our Pangolin,” she said.
Dr. Claire Okell, Director of the Pangolin Project, led the team, which also comprised Tourism and Wildlife Principal Secretary Zeinab Husein and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Brigadier (Rtd) John Waweru.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, who is also the sponsor of a Kenyan anti-poaching campaign called “Hands Off Our Elephants,” praised the Pangolin Project’s founders for their dedication to wildlife conservation.
The team presented the First Lady with a pangolin sculpture created by artists who commit their abilities to crafting pieces that raise funds to safeguard the species.
The sculpture was given to Kenya Wildlife Services by the Pangolin Project as a sign of the joint commitment to preserve even the most fragile wildlife species.
Deputy High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Kenya Josephine Gauld praised the First Lady for her conservation efforts, noting that a sister sculpture is presently on display at Number 10 Downing Street in the United Kingdom.
She noted that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is a supporter of animal conservation and is eager to help combat unlawful pangolin trafficking.
“I must give full credit to KWS and the Pangolin Project. Our Prime Minister is also a champion of wildlife conservation and he has keen interest in combating the crime,” she said.
Ms. Zeinab Hussein, Principal Secretary for Wildlife, and Brig. Waweru, Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service, informed the First Lady on the ministry’s conservation efforts, noting that the country’s elephant population has grown for the first time in many years.
The country’s elephant population has grown in the previous three years, according to the Principal Secretary, while rhino poaching has been eliminated.
She went on to say that her ministry was also interested in spreading awareness about the necessity of pangolin conservation.
The First Lady was then presented with two books by Lucy Wambui Yinda, Executive Director of Wema Children Centre, and Janet Mbugua, founder of the Inua Dada Foundation, during a separate celebration at State House in Nairobi. The two books focus on social justice and equity stories.
Ms Lucy Yinda stated that her book, “Courage is a Calling,” is meant to inspire and encourage those who are going through difficult times or who are thinking of establishing a project to help the poor but are filled with doubts and anxieties.
She expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her support of the poor and most vulnerable members of society, noting that her commitment to the center has inspired her to reach out to more street children.
“The book is about the struggle, personal struggle going to the streets to get children who needed support. It is about personal struggles when I began the work. The book is also about street life challenges the children face,” she said.
On her part renowned Journalist Janet Mbugua presented the First Lady with her book entitled ‘My First Time’ shares struggles which girls go through when they first experience mensuration.
Janet, who originally had the idea of assisting girls who couldn’t get sanitary goods in 2013, said she started Inua Dada Initiative, which has since been renamed Inua Dada Foundation, with the goal of ensuring that no woman feels ashamed of her biological nature.
She stated that around one million Kenyan girls do not have access to sanitary goods and that she hopes to improve public opinion of the issue through her books.
She commended the First Lady for being at the forefront of championing women’s health concerns and for supporting projects aimed at improving the overall health and well-being of women and girls.
The Margaret Kenyatta Scholarship program was also used by the First Lady to provide educational scholarships to three Brook House kids.
The Scholarship, which was established in 2013, aims to provide students with skills that are in line with the needs of the country’s development.
Brook House School Managing Director John O’Connor commended the First Lady for her generosity, adding the scholarships will assist the three students, Michelle Gichoya, Lydiah Kiagi, and Sasha Mbogho, complete their education.
The First Lady thanked the three groups for their assistance and assured them of her continuous support.
“I want to assure you that I will be there for you. When you need me just call. I thank you so much and am proud of you,” said the First Lady.
Also present was the Chief of Staff in the Office of the First Lady, Ms Constance Gakonyo.