First lady condemns FGM and early marriages

First lady Margaret Kenyatta has condemned Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages saying they compromise health and lives of women in the country.

Speaking during the Beyond Zero handing over ceremony of the 19th mobile clinic to Tharaka Nithi county at Kathwana on Wednesday, Margaret said early marriages are increasing vulnerability of women and girls to diseases and poverty in the community.

She also said FGM leads to complications during birth thus causing deaths of mothers and infants.

"As a country we must aspire for zero FGM practices so as to save our mothers and children and the community at large," she remarked.

Mrs Kenyatta noted that Tharaka Nithi County falls under medium HIV/AIDS transmission and infections, asking residents to make use of the mobile clinic to improve their health.

She added that the mobile clinic would rely on county government's resources for it to run effectively to reduce maternal deaths.

Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia who accompanied the first lady said national government will work with governors to reduce HIV/AIDS transmission to zero, urging expectant mothers to be seeking medical services and health advice in order to reduce infant deaths and mother to child transmission.