President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday accepted an offer to become the new United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) world champion for the youth.
The President was offered the new leadership role after UNICEF's Executive Director Henrietta Fore paid a courtesy call to him at State House.
Ms Fore outlined that the President Kenyatta’s role would include advocating for the promotion of universal healthcare, education and nutrition.
The UN Director gave an assurance that the country would receive support in achieving universal healthcare as outlined on President Kenyatta’s big four growth agenda.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta meets with UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore"]
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She further promised that her organisation would work with the Government in operations and monitoring to ensure the country succeeds and the health model could be replicated in the region.
According to a statement from State House, Director Fore also had talks with the President concerning the education sector.
"As UNICEF develops the 2018-2022 country programme for Kenya, Ms Fore said, it will be aligned with the country’s aspirations on primary health care, a major driver in achieving universal healthcare coverage," the statement outlined.
On his part, President Kenyatta reiterated his commitment to work with the organisation noting that his primary focus would be on the needs of those living in urban and peri-urban areas.
"This group always tends to be forgotten in the assumption that they are well off, Education is key for youth development. It is a major catalyst for equity and social stability," President Kenyatta stated.
The meeting was also attended by Cabinet Secretaries Cleopa Mailu (Health) and Amina Mohamed (Foreign Affairs).
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta with UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore and CSs Cleopa Mailu and Amina Mohamed"]
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