Former cabinet minister Linah Jebii Kilimo has been appointed as Board Director, ChildFund International for a period of four years.
ChildFund International, whose headquarters is based in Richmond, VA, United States of America, is a non-profit organization, which helps deprived, excluded and vulnerable children, have the capacity to improve their lives and the opportunity to become adults, parents and leaders who bring lasting and positive change in their communities.
In a letter sent by Meg Audette, the Chief Organizational Effectiveness Officer to Mrs. Kilimo, the former Marakwet East MP will serve in the capacity for four years beginning January 2024.
“Every Board Director is appointed to an initial four-year term with the possibility of an extension for four years based on performance and mutual agreement,” read the letter in part.
ChildFund’s Board of Directors provides governance and accountability, helping to ensure the organization does its best work possible for the people it serves.
Kilimo was initially appointed by the former president Uhuru Kenyatta to chair the then newly formed Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board in December, 2013.
In March 2014, she represented Kenya at the 58th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA to speak on ‘Accelerating efforts towards the abandonment of FGM and Keeping Girls in School.
“On December 9, 2015, she was awarded “The Outstanding Women Leadership Award for her work on anti-FGM campaigns.
Kilimo holds an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Esther Mallet International Bible University in Norwalk, California, USA (2006), a Bachelors Degree (BA) in Counseling from the Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) and a Diploma in Control & Management of HIV/AIDS from Kenyatta University.
As a peace-maker, the former legislator ensured peace prevailed between members of Pokot and Marakwet communities throughout her 10-year tenure as the Marakwet East MP, earning the moniker “Eyaa kalya,” meaning mother of peace in the local dialect.
As an avid crusader against FGM, Kilimo was very instrumental in crafting of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act 2011, which criminalizes the vice.
She had also been working with NGOs in campaigning for the eradication of FGM, promoting Girl Child education and volunteered as a role model for the Girl Child in World Vision Tot ADP, having escaped the ‘Cut’ herself.
And following her latest appointment, Kilimo thanked the organization for giving her the opportunity to serve, saying she would use her experience to deliver.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the ChildFund International for the trust it has in me by giving me the chance to serve in the organization as board director. I am truly delighted,” she said.
By Bethuel Kaino
