The High Court has temporarily blocked Kenya’s historic five-year health agreement with the United States, a deal worth KSh 207 billion ($2.5 billion), just days after it was signed.
Justice Bahati Mwamuye issued orders restraining the government from implementing the Health Cooperation Framework or sharing any health data with the Donald Trump–led U.S. administration. The move comes after the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) filed a petition challenging the agreement.
The court directed the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs, along with the Attorney General, to respond to the claims and appear before Justice Lawrence Mugambi for a mention scheduled for February next year.
“Until the court hears and determines the application filed on December 9, 2025, a conservatory order is hereby issued suspending and restraining the respondents from implementing or giving effect to the Health Cooperation Framework signed between Kenya and the United States on or around December 4, 2025, specifically in relation to any transfer, sharing, or dissemination of medical, epidemiological, or other sensitive personal health data,” the ruling reads in part.
The agreement, Kenya’s first major health pact with the U.S. since the Trump administration overhauled its foreign aid program, is intended to combat infectious diseases in the country. Similar deals are expected to be rolled out in other African nations under Trump’s broader foreign policy strategy.
While the government has described the deal as a step toward improving transparency and accountability in health management, critics have expressed concerns that it could allow the U.S. real-time access to critical health databases, including sensitive patient information.
