NAIROBI, Kenya — A team of Kenyan university students has won the Stars of Innovation: U.S.–Kenya AI Challenge after developing MediBora, an artificial intelligence-powered platform aimed at improving maternal health outcomes, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s growing role in applied technology and digital health innovation.
The team emerged top among eight finalists, beating competitors drawn from more than 70 students and young professionals nationwide. Judges praised MediBora for its practical design, readiness for real-world deployment, and seamless integration with existing healthcare systems.
MediBora enables continuous maternal health monitoring, early risk alerts, and real-time communication between expectant women and healthcare providers. The platform operates across mobile applications, SMS, USSD, and voice channels, ensuring accessibility even in low-connectivity and low-literacy settings.
“We wanted to solve a problem that affects people every day,” said Washington Adiado, the team lead. “The platform works across mobile app, SMS, USSD, and voice channels, making it accessible even in low-connectivity and low-literacy settings,” he said.
Practical innovation over theory
Unlike many innovation challenges that focus on conceptual ideas, participants were required to demonstrate feasibility, sustainability, and scalability. Judges assessed projects based on economic relevance, technical readiness, and their potential for adoption within real healthcare systems.
Key features of MediBora include GPS-enabled emergency alerts, direct clinician follow-up, and early identification of high-risk pregnancies—tools that could prove critical in reducing maternal mortality, especially in underserved regions.
The five-member multidisciplinary team brings together expertise in software engineering, data science, biomedical engineering, and business analysis, reflecting the increasingly collaborative nature of health-tech innovation in Kenya.
U.S.–Kenya technology cooperation
Speaking during the finals, Mark Burrell, Regional Public Engagement Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, said the challenge reflects the United States’ approach to artificial intelligence—focused on real-world application rather than abstract experimentation.
“The United States leads in artificial intelligence because we focus on application, standards, and results,” Burrell said. “Programs like this prepare talented young people to work with U.S. technology, meet global standards, and compete in the international economy,” he noted.
The challenge forms part of a broader U.S. Embassy initiative to strengthen U.S.–Kenya economic and technology partnerships, promote American technology standards, and support entrepreneurship through American Spaces across the country.
As winners, the MediBora team has earned a direct invitation to the upcoming Red, White & Build Hackathon, scheduled to take place later this month in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Eldoret. The event will provide advanced mentorship, technical training, and opportunities to win cash prizes, further accelerating the platform’s path toward deployment.
