Why Rotary International President is visiting Kenya

By Eric Ombok

Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick arrived in Kenya on Sunday January 12, 2025, as part of a tour to mark 100 years of Rotary in Kenya and Rotary District 9212.

President Stephanie was received by Rotary D9212 District Governor Joe Kamau, District Officials, Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors. She is accompanied by Rotary Director Daniel Tanase, his spouse and her aide Tom Gump.

In Kenya, Rotary District 9212, which comprises of Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Eritrea is hosting President Stephanie who will tour various projects. The previous visit to Kenya by a Rotary International President was by President Shekar Mehta in September 2021.

President Stephanie who arrived in Kenya from Uganda where she had been for a week, will announce Rotary’s commitment and support to several projects that will impact thousands of families and households in Kenya. Currently Rotary District 9212 has active grants valued at $6 million spread over the four countries.

As Rotary celebrates 100 years of impactful service in District 9212, we aim to mark this milestone with a flagship project dedicated to improving maternal and child health at Pumwani Maternity Hospital in Nairobi as a national pilot,’’ Kamau said.

Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick (right) is received by Rotary D9212 District Governor Joe Kamau (left) upon arrival in Kenya from Uganda. PHOTO/ERIC OMBOK

During her visit, President Stephanie will have a meeting with senior government of Kenya officials on Monday January 13, 2025 and later in the day join a medical camp at Pumwani Maternity Hospital. The medical camp is the outcome of a 24-month partnership between Rotary District 9212 and Rotary Action Group for Family Health & AIDS Prevention Inc (RFHA) to enable Rotary clubs to roll out medical camps at seven different locations across Kenya.

Other medical camps, known as Rotary Family Health Days (RFHD), are slated to be held at Kogelo Health Centre (Siaya), Gichuru Dispensary (Kiambu), Transmara West Sub County Hospital (Narok), Embu Level V Hospital (Embu), Mukurweini Hospital (Nyeri) and Makongeni Health Centre (Thika).

President Stephanie will also take time on Tuesday January 13, 2025 to enjoy Kenya’s world-class tourism attractions by having a game drive at the Nairobi National Park, visiting the Giraffe Centre and sampling Kenyan cuisine at The Carnivore.

Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick (centre) joins a welcome cultural dance on arrival in Kenya from Uganda. PHOTO/ERIC OMBOK

She is also scheduled to attend a Rotary Foundation dinner on Tuesday evening to celebrate the achievements of the Foundation in Kenya.

Key Rotary projects in Kenya include:

  • Information, Communication & Technology, ICT (digital literacy) – projects in Kangemi (Tenderfoot) and in Tatu City.
  • Maternal and Child Health – project dubbed Baby Mwanzo in Mukuru slums.
  • Renovations and upgrades at Pumwani Maternity Hospital estimated to cost about Kshs 100 million, while the blood Donation Campaign will require approximately Kshs 10 million and another Kshs 150 million for construction and equipping of two blood banks.
  • A partnership with the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to plant one million trees in six months.
  • A national initiative known as Rotary Sunshine Rally, catering for differently abled people since 1980.

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