#DRC

Equity has approved the establishment of new insurance units as part of its expansion plans in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In Kenya, the company will create a microinsurance firm with a capital base of Sh192 million. In the DRC, Equity plans to launch a life insurance company with an initial capital of $12 million and a general insurance company with a capital of $13.37 million.

Equity Group shareholders have approved a KSh 21.7 billion dividend payout, representing a 35.5% increase from 2024. Additionally, the shareholders authorized the establishment of three new insurance subsidiaries in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to launch a clinical trial in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) next week to assess the effectiveness of two antiviral treatments, MBP134 and remdesivir, in reducing mortality among patients infected with Bundibugyo virus disease. This initiative comes as reported cases of the disease exceed 1,000. The trial will evaluate the treatments both individually and in combination, with preparations now complete.

The Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has condemned the killing of two volunteers, Kabula Byamungu Mugisha and Romain Mugisho Mparanya, in Walungu Territory, South Kivu Province. The incident occurred on June 16, according to the agency’s director of communication, Kally Maluku Mankatu.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reported over 1,000 confirmed cases of Ebola, with the total reaching 1,003, including 254 deaths, according to the DRC Health Ministry. The outbreak is still active and has not yet peaked, indicating ongoing concerns regarding the spread of the virus.

A family in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, is mourning the loss of their relative, Wycliffee Makheti Muchaka, who died in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) three weeks ago due to travel restrictions related to an Ebola outbreak. They are seeking government assistance to repatriate his body for burial. Muchaka was working in DRC as a mechanic after going there for employment.

As Uganda enhances border surveillance to prevent Ebola from the Democratic Republic of Congo, allegations have surfaced that Congolese nationals are bribing security personnel for entry. The extensive border, over 1,000 kilometers long, runs from Koboko to Kisoro, highlighting the challenges faced in maintaining effective border control amid the health crisis.

Cryptocurrency company Binance has pledged $250,000 to aid in the containment of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The funds will be distributed equally between the Uganda Red Cross Society and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to support emergency response efforts in the affected regions.