High Court pauses Kenya–US health pact amid privacy challenge

The High Court has issued conservatory orders pausing parts of the newly signed Kenya–United States Health Cooperation Framework after rights groups and legislators raised alarms over potential breaches of Kenyans’ medical privacy. Petitioners argue the agreement, inked in Washington earlier this month, could allow foreign access to sensitive data covering HIV, malaria, maternal and child health. Judges said the pause will remain until the court determines whether the framework respects constitutional protections. Health ministry officials defended the pact as essential for shoring up funding and technical support for national programmes, saying no raw personal data will be handed to foreign agencies. The ruling, observers say, complicates government plans to accelerate investments in health infrastructure but underscores growing public unease about data governance.