Welcome to Africanews

Please select your experience

Watch Live

This Is Culture

this-is-culture

Madonna 'sneaked' into Kenya and made an impact 'Beyond Zero'

Madonna 'sneaked' into Kenya and made an impact 'Beyond Zero'

Kenya

She may be the Queen of Pop, one of the greatest solo artistes in music history and her entry into Kenya (a country that loves music) should have been a big deal, but it wasn’t.

She virtually sneaked into Kenya, announced her presence via photo-sharing platform instagram to her over 7.8 million followers and went on to partner the first lady of Kenya in her ‘Beyond Zero’ campaign.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta meets with global philanthropist and pop icon Madonna Ciccone. pic.twitter.com/EBymORstA8

— The First Lady Kenya (@FirstLadyKenya) July 4, 2016

According to a release from the presidency, Madonna will work with first lady Margaret Kenyatta’s ‘Beyond Zero’ initiative ‘‘in scaling-up maternal and child health programs as well as initiatives against gender violence.’‘

‘‘Madonna, one of the most influential women in contemporary music said her foundations, managed by the Global Philanthropy Group, will work with Beyond Zero in scaling-up maternal and child health programs as well as initiatives against gender violence, the release further stated.

Pop icon Madonna seeks partnership with First Lady’s Beyond Zero initiative: https://t.co/tarJNT976A pic.twitter.com/ygCfX4mDwT

— The First Lady Kenya (@FirstLadyKenya) July 4, 2016

Speaking at the State House in Nairobi, Madonna intimated that her team had similar dreams as that of Mrs Kenyatta, and that they are bounded by protection of women and children.

The release added that, ‘‘Madonna is in the country to explore practical programs that have a transformative impact on vulnerable groups, especially women and children.’‘

Madonna described the Beyond Zero initiative as an amazing movement and a natural partner for advocacy, to break the code of silence around gender-based violence through education and awareness building.

Her pledge to work with the Beyond Zero initiative comes days after Melinda Gates, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation expressed similar interest to partner with the Beyond Zero initiative, to ensure access of quality health for Kenyan women and children.

The foster mother of two African children of Malawi origin received backlash during her adoption process years back and she hasn’t hinted on adding another member to her family yet, even though some Kenyans on social media had so alleged.

She however continues to run her charity through a campaign dubbed Raising Malawi.
The A-rated singer recently celebrated 30 years since the release of her third studio album “True blue” which was released June 30th 1986.

View more