The new Kenya–US Health Data Framework, designed for the transfer, sharing, and analysis of epidemiological and medical data, has sparked ethical and legal concerns regarding data sovereignty and privacy. Despite anxieties, the framework is crucial for public health and accountability, operating under strict compliance with Kenya’s data protection laws.

• The framework ensures that all shared data is aggregate and anonymised, with no identifiable individual information, as mandated by Kenya’s Data Protection Act and Health Act.
• Dr. Hesbon Hansen emphasizes that while Kenya receives billions in health-related support from the US, the framework enables robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems crucial for accountability in government-to-government partnerships.
• The initiative aims to improve health outcomes through strategic use of data, tracking disease patterns, and strengthening early-warning systems, benefiting communities across Kenya without comprising individual privacy.