The Ministry of Health has dismissed claims that Kenyans’ personal medical records will be shared with the American government following the December 4, 2025, deal signed by President William Ruto and US President Donald Trump.
During a media interview on Monday, December 8, 2025, Health Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga clarified that only aggregated, non-personal data will be exchanged to monitor the implementation of the partnership.
Oluga assured Kenyans that individual medical information remains fully protected and that only aggregated, non-personal data will be shared in accordance with Kenya’s data privacy laws.
“Your personal medical records will not be shared with the US,” Oluga said, clarifying that Kenya will share only aggregated data for monitoring the partnership.
Additionally, the Health PS said that even if it is to be shared, strict rules and safeguards must be followed before any health data is shared.
PS Oluga Dismisses Claims of Sharing Kenyans’ Personal Data to the US Govt
He said that before any information is released, there must be a formal request specifying exactly which data are needed. That request must then be reviewed and approved by both the Digital Health Agency and the designated data controller.
Dr. Oluga added that even after approval, Kenya will only provide the specific information requested, and it must be used strictly for the stated purpose.
He stressed that safeguards have been built into the system to ensure full accountability, including documentation of every request and clear feedback on how the data is used.
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He assured Kenyans that these measures ensure no personal medical records will be accessed without proper authorization and oversight.
“So, for any data sharing to happen, the first requirement is a formal request specifying what information is needed. Second, there must be a clear mechanism for how that information is provided. In our system, we have included safeguards requiring approval from both the Digital Health Agency and the data controller before any data is released,” Oluga stated.
To allay data fears among Kenyans, the PS further stated that the Kenyan government runs a comprehensive, integrated health information system, which was initially in the hands of third parties and is now fully controlled by the government.
“It’s only the Kenyan government that runs the comprehensive integrated health information system. We took over all those systems; there were several of them. There was a system for TB called tb.dot.go.ke. There was a system for vaccines. All of those have now been consolidated, and we have taken them out of the hands of third parties.
Right now, we can confirm to the entire country and to each citizen that your data is in the hands of the government alone,” Oluga said.
Kenyans React to Ruto Trump Deal
Oluga’s clarification comes after a section of Kenyans raised questions of data privacy following the signing of the deal.
Adani Whitsle blower Nelson Amenya said, “They’ve already signed… instead of sharing the documents they are holding X Spaces?”
Activist Munahamed said, “Ruto just sold our health data to Trump… shreds Article 31 privacy rights… Kenyans, RISE! #StopTheHealthDataDeal”
On December 4, 2025, during Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to Washington, D.C., at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, Kenya signed a five-year health cooperation framework with the United States.
Valued at approximately Ksh 208 billion ($2.5 billion), the agreement marks the first under Trump’s “America First” global health initiative.
Also Read: Trump Invites President Ruto to a High-Profile Meeting
It shifts U.S. funding, previously routed through NGOs such as USAID, directly to Kenyan government entities, including the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Digital Health Agency, and the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
The U.S. will contribute $1.7 billion, with Kenya adding $850 million over five years, aiming for full Kenyan funding by 2030.
The signing was overseen by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Prime Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, with Ruto and Trump in attendance.
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