NAIROBI, Kenya – The High Court has suspended the implementation of a health cooperation agreement between Kenya and the United States, temporarily blocking any transfer or sharing of Kenyans’ sensitive medical data under the deal signed last week.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi on Thursday issued conservatory orders restraining the government from operationalising the Cooperation Framework on Health, which was executed on December 4, 2025, until a petition challenging its legality is heard and determined.
“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Petitioner’s Notice of Motion dated 9 December 2025, a conservatory order is hereby issued… suspending, staying, and restraining the respondents… from implementing or giving effect to the Health Cooperation Framework… insofar as it provides for or facilitates the transfer, sharing, or dissemination of medical, epidemiological, or sensitive personal health data,” Justice Mugambi ruled.
The orders stem from a petition filed by Senator Okiya Omtatah, who argues that the agreement threatens the privacy and security of Kenyans’ health records.
He wants the court to stop any data exchange with foreign entities until clear safeguards are established.
Omtatah also asked the court to bar the government from spending public funds, signing contracts, or introducing new policies tied to the framework.
The court granted the requests on an interim basis, effectively freezing the pact as the case heads to a full hearing.
The Cooperation Framework had been billed as a major step in boosting collaboration between Nairobi and Washington on health systems, research and disease surveillance.
However, its provisions on data-sharing have sparked growing public concern, with critics warning that the deal could expose personal medical information to external misuse.
