Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Former chairperson of National Aids Control Council (NACC) Prof Miriam Were has been honoured for her extensive service to humanity.

Were was recognised for her contribution to the professionalism  through her membership in national and international boards of management, committees and councils.

Prof Were, 82, is among the women aged over 70, who have been selected as Trailblazers for their immense contribution to Kenya politically, socially and economically.

The awards are part of events leading to International Women’s day on March 8.

While handing her the award at her Lavington home on behalf of Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia, Chief Administrative Secretary Linah Jebii Kilimo lauded Were for her commitment to working with disadvantaged groups to improve their lives.

“The journey you started is on course, feel sincerely thanked by the government for navigating the National HIV/AIDS response in Kenya,” Kilimo told her.

Kilimo said Were was presented the Award of Outstanding Merit by the National Council of Women of Kenya for outstanding contribution to the development and well-being of the women of Kenya for over a decade.

She said Were also received various Outstanding International Awards for her role in health and other Sectors, such as HIDEYO Noguchi Africa Prize, The Queen Elizabeth II Gold Medal for Public Health in the Commonwealth, and Women Leading Change by the Global YWCA (Young Women Christian Association).

While receiving the award, Were (pictured) encouraged women to volunteer and help others where to make Kenya a better nation.

She said life experience had taught her that when one does good, it is for the improvement of lives and that everyone should think of what they can contribute towards this endeavour. “There is a lot we can do to change the image of this country,” she added.

Were said she used her savings to train over 40 young people from African countries through the Uzima Foundation which she started in 1995. “My next move would be to see how I can partner with the Ministry of Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes on how we can get the young people trained, especially those from the informal settlements,” she said.

She urged the government to pay the Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) saying they help reduce congestion in hospitals.    —KNA