Kenyan Court Suspends $1. 6B Health Deal with US. Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya’s High Court has issued a temporary halt to a $1.
6 billion health partnership with the United States, pending a legal challenge by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK).
The decision, handed down by Justice Bahati Mwamuye, came after COFEK argued that the agreement violates several Kenyan laws and poses risks to personal health data.
The Health Cooperation Framework, signed on December 4 in Washington, DC, involves the transfer and sharing of sensitive health information.
The court’s order bars any implementation of the agreement related to medical and epidemiological data until the case is resolved. COFEK contends that the deal, which includes the potential transfer of $208 billion in funding, breaches the Data Protection Act, the Digital Health Act, the Health Act, and new Digital Health Data Exchange regulations.
The group also claims the government has started implementing parts of the agreement without public consultation, in violation of the Kenyan Constitution.
Respondents in the case include Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and Attorney General Dorcas Oduor.
A separate challenge has been filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who seeks to prevent the government from spending funds or signing contracts related to the health framework until the case is resolved. Omtatah argues that the agreement’s structure, which removes external oversight, could lead to mismanagement and strain the national budget.
He also warns that linking US support to political conditions could undermine Kenyans’ right to health and equality.
The case is set to return to court on February 12 for further directions.
In the meantime, COFEK has been instructed to serve all involved officials with the petition and court orders by December 17, and the government has until January 16 to file its response.
*Additional reporting by ImNews*
