Kenya and the United States have officially given the green light to the implementation of a health cooperation agreement worth 207 billion Kenyan shillings.
The project had been the subject of a long-standing dispute, and this agreement thus puts an end to months of uncertainty after legal battles temporarily suspended the program.
However, the United States subsequently suspended its own deployment in February 2026, stating that it would respect the ongoing legal process.
The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) and the Katiba Institute also raised concerns, warning that the agreement risked compromising the confidentiality of sensitive patient information, including data on HIV and tuberculosis, which could be contrary to Kenyan data protection law.
The Court of Appeal then determined that maintaining the freeze risked compromising essential health services, which allowed the government to proceed with implementation and effectively reinstate the deployment schedule planned by the partnership.
In a statement released on Monday, June 8, 2026, Principal Secretary of the Treasury Chris Kiptoo confirmed that the two governments had finalized the arrangements necessary to implement this five-year partnership nationwide, describing it as a further step in bilateral health cooperation.
“We have reached an agreement on the implementation of the Kenya-US Health Cooperation Partnership, a five-year program worth US$1.6 billion,” Mr. Kiptoo wrote on X.
This program aims to strengthen several aspects of the Kenyan health system, including disease surveillance, epidemic preparedness, laboratory infrastructure, distribution of medical equipment, training of frontline health workers, and the development of digital health systems.
This announcement follows a courtesy meeting between Mr. Kiptoo and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Susan Burns at the National Treasury, during which both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their economic and development cooperation.
Furthermore, Mr. Kiptoo also emphasized the broader economic relationship between the two countries, highlighting the role of American companies in the Kenyan labor market and investment landscape.
Other criticisms were made by the Kenyan Network on HIV and AIDS Legal and Ethical Issues (KELIN), which argued that clauses granting immunity to US staff and contractors could limit liability in Kenyan courts in cases related to data misuse or litigation.
The agreement has also come under scrutiny regarding its financial structure, with critics highlighting the additional obligation of 110 billion Kenyan shillings that would be placed on Kenya to support priority health programs under the agreement.
