By Nasibo Kabale

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Kenya's coronavirus tally has risen to 715 after 15 people, including a one-year-old, tested positive in the last 24 hours.

During Tuesday's press briefing, Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman said the number of recoveries rose to 259 after eight patients were discharged from hospitals.

Dr Aman said 978 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.

At the same time, Covid-19 deaths in the country rose to 36 after 3 people succumbed to the disease in Mombasa.

Dr Aman said two people died in their homes and another in hospital.

Out of the 15 who tested positive, 14 are Kenyans and one is Rwandese.

Meanwhile, more Kenyans living abroad are set to be evacuated in the coming weeks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The announcement comes as the national carrier Kenya Airways prepares to evacuate more Kenyans from the UK. The planned KQ flight is scheduled for Friday, May 15.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Kamau Macharia said at a media briefing that Kenya had so far repatriated about 700 Kenyans from various countries, including China, India and the UK.

“So far we facilitated about 700 Kenyans, but we expect a few more to trickle into the country over the next few weeks as... we find means to facilitate their return,” said Dr Macharia.

“But also to emphasise that many Kenyans around the world are recognising that it is important they stay where they are, that they are best advised to remain where they are domiciled.”

He also pointed out that while there are over 3,000 Kenyans who are living in China only 169 took the recent evacuation flight.