Former Cabinet Minister Linah Jebii Kilimo has been appointed as Board Director of ChildFund International.
She has been appointed for a period of four years.
ChildFund International, headquartered in Richmond, VA, United States of America, is a non-profit organization.
It helps deprived, excluded and vulnerable children improve their lives and the opportunity to become adults, parents and leaders.
In a letter sent by Meg Audette, the Chief Organizational Effectiveness Officer to Kilimo, the former Marakwet East MP will serve on the Board of Directors 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. Based on that, you will be traveling to ChildFund through approximately 2031,” the letter reads 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.
Prior, Kilimo was appointed by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to chair the newly formed Anti-Female Genital 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- speaking 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 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 Counselling 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 Kilimo ensured peace prevailed between members of Pokot and Marakwet throughout her 10-year tenure as Marakwet East MP earning the name “eyaa kalya”, Marakwet word meaning mother of peace.
As an avid crusader against FGM, Kilimo was very instrumental in the creation of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act 2011, which criminalizes the vice.
She had also been working with nongovernmental organizations in campaigning for the eradication of FGM, promoting Girl Child education and volunteering as a role model for the Girl Child in World Vision Tot ADP, having escaped the 'Cut' herself.
Following the appointment, Kilimo thanked the organization for allowing her to serve, saying she would use her experience to deliver.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank ChildFund International for the trust it has in me by giving me the chance to serve in the organization as a board director. I am delighted,” Kilimo said.
