NAIROBI, Dec 11 (Reuters) – A Kenyan court has suspended a health-care funding deal worth more than $1.6 billion signed by the government on Dec. 4 with the United States until it hears a data privacy case brought by consumer protection groups.
The deal, signed in Washington, is the first of its kind following an overhaul of U.S. foreign aid under President Donald Trump.
Other African countries, including Rwanda and Uganda, have since signed similar agreements. Under these agreements, countries receive U.S. health funding but are also required to increase their own domestic health spending.
The Consumers Federation of Kenya asked the High Court to suspend the agreement until concerns over the security of citizens’ health data are resolved.
“Decisions based on Kenyan health data must be open, auditable and co-monitored, with consumer representatives involved in data processing, monitoring and evaluation and independent oversight,” the federation said in a statement.
High Court Judge Bahati Mwamuye ordered the agreement to be suspended until the case is heard.
“The Conservatory of Music hereby suspends… or in any way the implementation of the Health Cooperation Framework,” Mwamuye said in an order late on Wednesday.
President William Ruto has sought to reassure Kenyans that their data will be protected.
“The Attorney General’s Office…went through the agreement with a tooth comb…to ensure…that the laws that apply to data belonging to Kenyan people are Kenyan laws,” he said on Wednesday.
(Reporting by Vincent Mumo Nzilani, Humphrey Maralo and George Obrusa; Editing by Alexander Wenning and Ross Russell)
