Is Ksh. 208 Billion Kenya-US Health Agreement Meant to Share Patients' Data?

 

Courtesy | Alamy

Kenya-US Health Cooperation Framework: Data Sharing Concerns Explained

On December 4, 2025, Kenya and the United States signed a bilateral Health agreement worth Ksh. 208 billion (about USD 1.6 billion) over the next 5 years with 2 more years of reporting and review added. The agreement named Kenya-US Health Cooperation Framework will directly support Kenya's government-led health programs.

Key focus areas will be on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and overal health system strengthening. Investment in electronic medical records, healthcare worker salaries, medical supplies, and digital infrastructure are among key areas exected to be improved.

Why the Alarm Over Data Sharing?

Following the signing of the agreement witnessed by President Ruto in Washington D.C., critics and experts have come forward to oppose the move stating that the sharing of data will give the US access to sensitive data such as HIV status, TB histories, vaccination data, and even pathogen specimens of Kenyans. 

Additionally, critics like Nelson Amenya have argued that Kenyans' sensitive data will be subjected to US federal laws over Kenya's raising sovereignty issues and unethical behaviors such as the use of the data unethically to develop drugs without the approval from Kenya's side.

Both Kenyan and US leadership have defended the move stating that Kenya will still hold the intellectual property of the data shared and that this is the system the US has always followed in places it provides funds and that there is no cause for alarm. 

As Kenya transitions to self-reliant health programs, this could set a precedent for future aid deals, balancing funding needs against data sovereignty in an era of "America First" global health policies. For now, officials stress it empowers Kenya without compromising privacy, but ongoing public scrutiny remains key.