The Ministry of Health has assured Kenyans that all data shared under the ongoing Kenya–US health cooperation remains fully governed by Kenyan laws and institutions.
Health PS Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga said the arrangement is built on a structured framework aimed at boosting national health systems, not outsourcing control to foreign partners.
He made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on Spicr FM.
Dr. Oluga explained that the collaboration is anchored on a five-year plan that outlines specific areas where the United States will support Kenya’s long-term health goals.
According to him, the agreement focuses on strengthening disease surveillance, improving outbreak response, and enhancing digital health services.
He emphasized that the partnership is designed to reinforce national capacity rather than create dependency.
While addressing concerns surrounding health data, Dr. Oluga noted that the data-sharing component sits within a broader government-led strategy.
He said the framework identifies six priority areas for cooperation, with data management being only one part of a comprehensive system upgrade.
The PS stated that Kenya retains full authority over how its information is stored, secured, and utilized.
The conversation comes at a time when Kenya is accelerating digitization within the health sector, including the rollout of electronic medical records and integration of frontline facilities into national databases.
Past attempts at large-scale digital reforms, such as the Huduma Namba initiative, have heightened public sensitivity around data protection, prompting closer scrutiny of new agreements involving foreign partners.
Dr. Oluga underscored that the US role is limited to supporting Kenya’s own priorities, particularly in areas where technology and specialized expertise are needed to modernize health services.
He added that the funding model reflects Kenya’s ambition to operate independently after the five-year cycle.
“If they invest in the areas that the government identifies to make the system sustainable and responsive, then they can let us stand on our own,” he said during the interview.
Health experts note that the collaboration aligns with Kenya’s long-standing approach of working with international partners on disease surveillance, especially following lessons from previous outbreaks such as Ebola threats in the region and COVID-19.
The government says the latest framework is intended to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future emergencies.
The Ministry of Health maintains that all activities under the partnership will comply with the Data Protection Act, with oversight from relevant regulatory bodies.