The United States Embassy in Nairobi assured Kenyans that their health data will remain safe and unidentifiable under the new five-year health cooperation framework signed on Thursday in Washington, D.C, between Kenya and the United States.
The embassy said the framework is designed to support Kenya’s priority health programs while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the country’s health systems.
The agreement also requires the Kenyan government to increase its domestic health expenditure by Sh850 million over the five years.
Kenya is the first African country to sign a government-to-government health agreement with the United States of America.
The USD2.5 billion framework will see the U.S. government invest Sh208 billion directly into Kenya’s health institutions in the next five years.
The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has dismissed claims of data sharing with the U.S. and unauthorized specimen collection, saying strict safeguards are in place.
“We are just putting on paper the many policies we have had for years, so any data sharing will be aggregated data, in other words, not personally identifiable data,” said Susan Burns – Head of Diplomatic Mission, U.S. Embassy Kenya.
“We would test some of the specimens where they do not have their own labs, so we will continue with that moving forward. Also, that agreement is building up their lab network so that they have those capabilities themselves, so it’s really a change but recognizing how we have worked together,” said Brian Rettmann, PEPFAR Country Coordinator, Kenya.
The U.S. Embassy says the money is not a loan, but direct government-to-government assistance aimed at strengthening Kenya’s health system and reducing reliance on fragmented donor-led programs.
“There are a lot of questions about should we be getting assistance, Kenya should be self-reliant, what about our sovereignty and our rights. I think this is an investment in Kenya’s sovereignty and self-reliance and a move away from reliance to a dependent country. We would love to see a Kenya that is not receiving assistance but perhaps working to assist other countries,” said Susan Burns, Head of Diplomatic Mission, U.S. Embassy Kenya.
“It would be a phased transition over time to try to make sure that the government has the systems to do this and that we have the oversight mechanisms to ensure that, as was said by President Ruto, every dollar and every shilling is spent correctly, and that is both U.S. government dollars and Kenya shillings,” said Brian Rettmann – PEPFAR Country Coordinator, Kenya.
According to the agreement, Kenya must incrementally raise national and county health budgets over the five-year period from Sh10 billion in 2026/27 to Sh50 billion in 2029/30.
Procurement of health commodities will shift gradually from the U.S. government to the Government of Kenya during the five-year period.
Frontline health workers funded by the U.S. will be mapped and transitioned onto the Kenyan government payroll.
Kenya can earn over USD 100 million in performance incentives if it improves key health outcomes according to the framework.
President Ruto hailed the deal as a milestone, thanking the U.S. government—under President Donald J. Trump—for selecting Kenya as the first country to sign such an accord. He said the move reflects growing global confidence in Kenya’s ambitious transformation of its health sector.
“This partnership cements our shared vision of a healthier, more resilient nation,” Ruto said, noting that the direct financing model aligns with Kenya’s commitment to strengthen local systems and ensure sustainable health service delivery.
The signing ceremony brought together U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who represented the two governments.
The new Framework builds on 25 years of health cooperation between Nairobi and Washington, during which the U.S. has invested over USD 7 billion in programmes targeting HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal health, and health systems strengthening.
Officials from both sides described the agreement as a “next-generation partnership” intended to support Kenya’s shift to preventive and primary health care, reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, and drive long-term improvements in health outcomes.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said under the framework there will be a strengthened national sovereignty
Integrated digital and surveillance systems, stronger health workforce, faster emergency response, improved laboratories and supply chains and enhanced diplomatic and economic ties.
He said there will be better access to essential medicines, improved service delivery at public hospitals, stronger protection from epidemics and long-term sustainability of essential health services.
He said all data sharing follows Kenyan laws and only de-identified, aggregated data is shared.
“Approvals must go through DHA and the Data Commissioner. Digital Health Act and Data Protection Act fully apply,” he said.
This came amid concerns of data of Kenyans.
