The High Court has halted the implementation of Kenya’s Ksh200 billion health cooperation agreement with the United States, issuing conservatory orders that suspend all clauses touching on the transfer of medical and personal data.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye ruled that the data-sharing component of the pact must remain frozen until the court fully reviews the petition filed by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK). The judge barred the government from executing or enforcing any part of the framework that enables transfer, sharing or dissemination of sensitive health information.
The petition will be mentioned on February 12 before Justice Lawrence Mugambi.
COFEK argues the deal was signed secretly in Washington and violates constitutional protections on privacy. The lobby warned that once Kenya’s medical and epidemiological data leaves the country, the damage becomes “permanent and irreversible,” exposing citizens to misuse, stigma and loss of regulatory oversight.
The agreement, signed on December 4 by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has faced fierce public scrutiny over data safety and transparency.
President William Ruto, however, has defended the deal, insisting Kenya initiated the negotiations and that the framework was thoroughly vetted. Speaking at State House on Wednesday, Ruto said Attorney General Dorcas Oduor reviewed the legal aspects and confirmed the pact had no loopholes on data privacy.
The suspension now places the government under increased pressure to justify the necessity, safeguards and long-term implications of the multi-billion shilling health partnership.
