Rotary District 9212 Rallies for a Polio-Free Future with Nationwide Campaigns
By Eric Ombok
Kenya’s fight against polio gained significant momentum on World Polio Day as Rotary District 9212, alongside local and international partners, held a high-impact End Polio Walk and Immunization Campaign. The events underscored the urgency of eradicating polio, a disease that continues to threaten children’s lives despite global efforts to eliminate it entirely.
The event which was held at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya’s largest maternity hospital, which typically delivers around 120 babies per day, aimed to raise awareness about polio and conduct a newborn immunization drive.
This collaboration brought together Rotarians, health professionals, and key partners, including the key sponsor Salaam Investment Bank, Nairobi County Government and the Ministry of Health, each playing a pivotal role in delivering critical support.
“As we mark this important day, we encourage everyone to support vaccination efforts, whether by donating to the End Polio campaign or volunteering,” said District Governor Kamau. “Through collective action, we can build on the legacy of immunization and work toward a polio-free world. This mission requires everyone’s involvement to safeguard future generations.”
Across Kenya, Rotary clubs organized parallel events to raise funds and promote awareness. In Nairobi, the Rotary Club of Hurlingham launched a 100-day fundraising initiative with a target of 600,000 shillings, raised through daily donations. In support, the club and its partners, the Rotaract Clubs of Hurlingham and the Technical University of Kenya, hosted a fundraising hike at Ngong Hills on October 26, with all proceeds going toward the Polio Plus Fund.
Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Nairobi Kilimani Alfajiri offered community members three donation tiers as part of their 100-day donation campaign: Gold (100 shillings daily), Silver (80 shillings), and Bronze (50 shillings). Rotary clubs in Thika also joined forces, with the Rotary Club of Thika West, Rotary Club of Thika, and Rotaract Clubs of Thika, Mount Kenya University, JFC, and Thika Technical Institute hosting a walk and cycle event to promote polio awareness.
Rotary’s efforts extended to Kenya’s coast, where Rotary and Rotaract clubs collaborated with International Medical Aid and Vivid Medical Centre to hold a free medical camp at Mwakirunge Primary School. Services at the camp included polio immunizations, cancer screenings, dental check-ups, nutrition consultations, and general healthcare.
In Nairobi’s Korogocho neighborhood, the Rotary Club of Nairobi East and its Rotaract partners, along with Safaricom Foundation and Range Chem, hosted a medical camp at Ngomongo Level 2 Hospital. The camp provided routine polio vaccinations, tuberculosis screening, deworming, and other essential services, as well as talks on mental health, nutrition, and wellness.
Western Kenya also saw dedicated efforts from the Rotaract Club of Bungoma Magharibi, which led a four-day door-to-door campaign to educate communities on polio and other preventable diseases. Similar regional events took place in Eldoret and Ethiopia, showcasing Rotary’s commitment to eradicating polio through global cooperation and community-based initiatives.
