NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 11 – The High Court has suspended the implementation of the $1.6 billion Kenya–US Health Cooperation Framework, pending the hearing of a petition filed by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK).
The petition seeks to block the transfer and sharing of Kenyans’ personal medical and epidemiological data under the agreement.
The interim ruling, issued by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, prevents the State Law Office, Senate, and other respondents from taking any steps to operationalize the deal “insofar as it provides for or facilitates the transfer, sharing or dissemination of medical, epidemiological or sensitive personal health data.”
“Conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending, staying and/or restraining the Respondents from implementing, operationalizing, or howsoever giving effect to the Health Cooperation Framework.”
COFEK has until December 17, to serve all respondents with the petition, after which the respondents must file their responses by
The legal challenge raises concerns over data privacy and personal information protection as Kenya deepens cooperation with the United States on public health initiatives, including disease surveillance, diagnostics, and workforce training.
The court’s intervention now pauses implementation of the bilateral framework until parties argue the matter fully, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle early next year.
