Kenya Roundup: 228 flood deaths, judicial appointments, Kenyan Airways flight suspension 

Floods claim 228 lives

The Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government in Kenya has reported a staggering death toll of 228 due to ongoing floods. In the past 24 hours alone, nine more fatalities have been recorded, mirroring the grim toll witnessed between Friday and Saturday. Alongside the loss of lives, 164 individuals have been injured, and 72 remain missing, the Nation Africa reports. The situation has prompted the government to issue a weather forecast warning of moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in 37 counties, particularly in the Coast, Western, and Lake Victoria basin regions. “The Tropical Cyclone Hidaya storm is over and forecasted to have weakened; however, heavy rainfall is still expected offshore along the Coast region with strong winds and large waves already experienced in Kwale,” a statement by the Ministry read in part.

Judicial appointments

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has submitted a list of 20 candidates for appointment as High Court Judges to President William Ruto. Following a thorough review process, which included interviews conducted from April 3 to May 3, the JSC selected these candidates from a pool of 305 applicants, shortlisting 100 for consideration, according to KBC. This forms part of the Judiciary's efforts to bolster service delivery through the recruitment of additional personnel. An initiative touted by the Ruto administration to enhance the efficiency of the judiciary.

Kenya Airways halts flights to Kinshasa

Kenya Airways (KQ) has suspended its services to Kinshasa, causing disruptions in air travel within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The decision, effective April 30, has left a significant void in the market, as KQ was one of only two airlines providing daily flights between Kinshasa and eastern Africa hubs. The move follows the detention of KQ staff by DRC military authorities over an incident involving the attempted shipment of high-value cargo without proper customs procedures. This suspension not only raises concerns about airfare hikes but also highlights challenges in ensuring seamless air travel operations within the region, The East African has reported.

 AI-powered healthcare 

Innovation in healthcare through AI-powered startups is gaining momentum in Kenya, with initiatives like iZola, M-Tiba, MYDAWA, Zuri Health, and Goodlife leading the charge. These startups are leveraging AI technology to develop new treatments, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and personalize patient care, revolutionizing the healthcare landscape, Business Daily Africa reports. Dr. Wamuyu Owatoki, a scientist and operations lead expert said "AI-powered healthcare startups are revolutionizing healthcare and changing the healthcare landscape at an increasingly rapid pace. Many trends and predictions point to a profoundly transformed healthcare ecosystem driven by the integration and development of AI.” Platforms like iZola are employing AI-driven diagnostic systems to detect early signs of conditions such as autism, paving the way for early intervention and improved patient outcomes.

$1 billion IMF disbursement 

President William Ruto has expressed confidence in Kenya's expectation of a $1 billion disbursement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) next month. This infusion of funds is poised to further bolster Kenya's recovering economy, which has shown signs of improvement following recent fiscal measures, the Citizen Digital reports. Notably, Kenya's shilling currency has rebounded from record lows, and robust lending from the IMF and World Bank has helped navigate liquidity challenges. The ongoing review process with the IMF aims to unlock additional financial support for Kenya's economic recovery efforts.