Uhuru surprises First Lady Margaret Kenyatta after race

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday surprised his wife, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, with a message of congratulations shortly after the completion of the First Lady’s Half Marathon.

“I am extremely proud of Margaret’s commitment to this initiative,” he said with a smile.

The president who is away in Ghana sent a recorded video message in which he expressed gratitude to Kenyans for joining the first lady in her run.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who ran with the first lady this year. I am amazed that every year more and more people join her in the run to reduce maternal and infant mortality and to stem HIV. Your support displays the best of Kenya,” he said.

The president also thanked Rwanda First Lady Janet Kagame who took part in the race and welcomed her to Kenya.

“I also thank Rwanda’s First Lady Janet Kagame for running with Margaret this year,” said Uhuru.

To his wife, the president said: “And to you Mag, congratulations for once again completing another successful run.”

Last year, Kenyans were treated to a public display of affection by the president to his wife at the finish line.

Within minutes, social media was awash with photos of the president hugging the first lady at the finish line.

It seems that even in his absence, the president managed to send his love to his wife via a video link, which Margaret acknowledged was a surprise.

The First Lady’s Marathon is an annual event to raise funds for the Beyond Zero Campaign which aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality and to stem the spread of HIV.

The event that was launched three years ago has seen counties equipped with mobile clinics to cater to mothers and children, with Sunday’s race raising enough money to buy 11 mobile clinics for the counties that had not received them yet.

Speaking after completing the race, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta thanked Kenyans for their support and commitment to the cause.

The first lady also noted that the organisation has secured a partnership to refurbish and equip the existing mobile clinics.

She said that the campaign would not end at mobile clinics, adding that with support Kenyans can overhaul the health sector.

“We don’t have to stop at mobile clinics. Runners don’t just aim to win they aim to break records. We can break records together,” she said.