Kenyan AG assures only aggregate health data shared in US deal amid court challenge

Attorney General Dorcas Oduor has assured Kenyans that no sensitive personal data will be shared under the suspended Kenya-US Health Cooperation Framework, only non-identifiable aggregate data. This follows the High Court's injunction on the deal, prompted by privacy concerns from the Consumers Federation of Kenya.

In a bid to lift the High Court injunction suspending the Kenya-US Health Cooperation Framework—signed on December 4, 2025, in Washington—the Kenyan government has emphasized that only aggregate, non-identifiable data will be exchanged.

Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, in a court application, clarified: "As clearly stated under the Data Exchange Agreement, the Government of Kenya will not provide any sensitive personal data of its citizens, but only aggregate data for the purposes of implementing the Cooperation System." The five-year deal, aimed at bolstering health services with funding worth billions of shillings, was halted pending a case by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek), which argues that any overseas transfer of medical data risks permanent, irreparable harm beyond Kenyan jurisdiction.

The government counters that aggregate data—summarized for monitoring, evaluation, public reporting, and planning—poses no privacy risk or irreparable harm. Cofek's petition echoes earlier concerns raised by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, leading to conservatory orders from Justice Bahati Mwamuye.

The court has yet to rule on the government's request to proceed with implementation.

Related Articles

Ethiopian officials attending a national conference on data sovereignty in Addis Ababa with stage banner and digital screens.
Image generated by AI

Ethiopia holds national conference on data sovereignty for policy freedom

Reported by AI Image generated by AI

Ethiopia held a national conference in Addis Ababa under the theme Data Sovereignty for Policy Freedom. Officials highlighted progress in building sovereign digital intelligence infrastructure.

The High Court has blocked the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) from withdrawing its petition challenging the Kenya-US health data-sharing agreement. The Katiba Institute opposed the move, and the judge upheld the objection. The case is set for hearing on May 25.

Reported by AI

The Court of Appeal has lifted an injunction blocking implementation of a $1.6 billion health cooperation agreement between Kenya and the United States signed in December 2025.

Senior government officials gathered in Addis Ababa for a two-day national conference and exhibition focused on national data sovereignty and integrated development administration.

Reported by AI

Four Nairobi Hospital board directors were charged on March 16, 2026, with obtaining over Sh8 million and failing to submit financial statements to the company registrar. They were arrested over the weekend and sought bail, arguing they cannot flee due to their services to Kenyans. President William Ruto has intervened to ensure transparency in the dispute.

This website uses cookies

We use cookies for analytics to improve our site. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Decline