Kenya Reinsurance Corporation has launched the third Kenya Re AI4I Hackathon, bringing together 90 university students to develop an artificial-intelligence flood-risk modelling tool, with the competition running from October 7 to 9, 2026.
The participants were drawn from 30 Kenyan universities after being selected from 147 applicants, and will work under the theme “Redefining Reinsurance Business Processing with Agentic AI and Machine Learning.”
Kenya Re Group Managing Director Hillary Wachinga, speaking through Acting General Manager for Reinsurance Operations Paul Ahomo, said the programme was created to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry, nurture emerging talent and apply new technologies to business challenges.
Students are tasked with creating an AI-powered catastrophe model that will merge flood-hazard data and analytical tools to give the reinsurer a clearer picture of exposure and potential financial loss.
The initiative highlights the importance of catastrophe modelling for reinsurers, as a single flood can generate multiple claims and models that combine hazards, asset vulnerability, insured exposure and loss estimates support underwriting, risk management and premium setting.
Kenya Re expects the hackathon teams to deliver solutions that combine technical accuracy with practical business use, usability and clear presentation, noting that the insurer has already automated parts of its underwriting process and is working on automating claims settlement and bank reconciliations.
The event builds on two earlier hackathons that helped the corporation identify young technology talent, with some past participants receiving internships and two later being hired permanently, and aims to deepen links with tech developers for possible Insurtech partnerships.
University of Nairobi Professor Peter Waiganjo said the collaboration offers students and researchers the chance to apply academic knowledge to real-world problems, bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional practice while providing mentorship.
Kenya Re has not disclosed the cost of developing the flood-modelling solution, the specific markets it will cover or the timetable for integrating any winning models into its operations.
