Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta (born 1964) served as the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya from 2013 to 2022. As the wife of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, she used her platform to champion public health, women’s empowerment, and child welfare. She is best known for founding the impactful “Beyond Zero” health initiative.
Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta (née Wanjiru Gakuo) |
| Born | April 8, 1964 |
| Spouse | Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta (married 1991) |
| Key Role | First Lady of Kenya (2013–2022) |
| Flagship Initiative | Beyond Zero Campaign |
| Education | Bachelor of Education, Kenyatta University |
| Recognition | Named Kenya Person of the Year (2014) |
Early Life and Background
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Diverse Heritage: Margaret Wanjiru Gakuo was born to a Kenyan father, Njuguna Gakuo (a former Director of the Kenya Railways Corporation), and a German mother, Magdalena.
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Education: She attended the prestigious Kianda School in Nairobi and later earned a Bachelor of Education degree from Kenyatta University. Her background in education has informed her later advocacy for child welfare and social development.
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Temperament: She is widely perceived by the public in Kenya for her simplicity, humility, and quiet demeanor, often maintaining a low public profile compared to her immediate predecessor.
The Beyond Zero Campaign
Margaret Kenyatta’s tenure as First Lady was almost singularly defined by her groundbreaking health initiative, launched in 2013.
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Core Mission: The Beyond Zero Campaign is governed by the fundamental belief that “No woman should die while giving life.” Its primary objectives are the elimination of preventable maternal and child deaths and the reduction of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
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Fundraising Marathons: To raise awareness and mobilize resources, she launched the First Lady’s Half Marathon (later rebranded as the Beyond Zero Marathon). In 2014, she made history as the first spouse of a sitting Head of State to complete the 42km London Marathon to raise global visibility and funds for the cause.
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Mobile Clinics: The funds raised were used to procure and donate 52 fully equipped mobile medical clinics to all 47 counties in Kenya, bringing integrated health services (prenatal/postnatal care, HIV testing, immunization) closer to vulnerable communities, particularly in marginalized areas.
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Expanded Focus: The initiative expanded its scope to include advocacy against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, support for children with disabilities, and raising awareness about cancer screening.
Legacy and Post-First Lady Work
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Recognition: Her humanitarian efforts earned her numerous accolades, including the UN in Kenya Person of the Year in 2014. The Government of Kenya also established the Margaret Kenyatta Institute for Gender and Social Development (MKI) in her honor in 2022.
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Continued Advocacy: Since her husband left office in 2022, Margaret Kenyatta has continued her charity work, maintaining her role as patron of the Beyond Zero initiative and remaining committed to social advocacy and health outcomes, often sharing the Beyond Zero model at global forums.