Kenya’s First Lady Rachel Ruto on Tuesday warmly welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Asma of Morocco at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) ahead of the official launch of the Cochlear Implant Program, a ground breaking medical initiative set to take place tomorrow at Kenyatta National Hospital.
The arrival of Princess Lalla Asma marked a moment of friendship and partnership between Kenya and Morocco, symbolizing a shared commitment to improving healthcare and transforming the lives of children with disabilities. The Princess, known for her humanitarian work and advocacy for persons with special needs, arrived in Nairobi to support the new program aimed at helping children with hearing impairments regain their ability to hear.
The Cochlear Implant Program is expected to be a turning point for many families in Kenya. Using advanced medical technology, the initiative will enable children who have lived in silence to experience sound for the first time. For parents who have struggled for years to find help for their children, this project offers hope, dignity, and the promise of a better future.
Speaking at the airport, First Lady Rachel Ruto expressed her gratitude to the Moroccan government and to Princess Lalla Asma for their collaboration in promoting inclusive healthcare across Africa. She said the partnership reflects not only diplomatic friendship but also a shared vision of compassion and progress. “Through this program, we are not only giving children the gift of hearing but also the gift of belonging, the chance to learn, communicate, and grow,” Mrs. Ruto said.
📰 Also Read This:
Officials from the Kenyatta National Hospital noted that the program will begin with a pilot phase targeting children identified through national screening initiatives, with plans to expand across the country. The long-term goal is to make cochlear implant surgeries accessible to all Kenyan children in need, regardless of their background or financial situation.
During her stay, Princess Lalla Asma is expected to meet with senior government officials, medical experts, and organizations working to improve the lives of children with disabilities. Her visit underscores Morocco’s ongoing commitment to strengthening ties with Kenya and supporting initiatives that promote health and social inclusion.
Tomorrow’s event at Kenyatta National Hospital will bring together leaders, health professionals, and families from across the country. For many, it will be a day of hope, a moment when silence turns into sound and when two nations come together to make a lasting difference in the lives of children.
