Health Officials Sue Whistleblower Amenya Over Claims About Kenya-US Health Agreement

Just days after his controversial revelations about the Kenya-United States health agreement, whistleblower Nelson Amenya now faces legal challenges as Community Health Promoters (CHPs) have filed a lawsuit against him for allegedly spreading misinformation.

The health workers filed their petition on Wednesday, December 10, seeking court intervention to prevent Amenya from publishing what they describe as false and misleading claims about the Ksh207 billion (approximately $1.6 billion) health cooperation framework between Kenya and the United States.

In their court filing, the CHPs contend that Amenya circulated sensationalized claims suggesting Kenya had relinquished control of its healthcare system to the U.S. These allegations, according to the petition, have created significant obstacles for health workers operating at the community level across the country.

“Our members are now facing fear, suspicion, hostility, and resistance during routine household visits,” the petition states. “This has severely disrupted our data collection efforts and compromised essential public health programs, directly impacting the health and safety of communities we serve.”

The legal action comes at a time when Kenya’s healthcare system is undergoing significant reforms, with community health workers playing a crucial role in the government’s push toward universal health coverage. The CHPs are requesting the court to compel Amenya to delete all posts containing the alleged misinformation and to cease publishing further content related to the bilateral health agreement.

“As Community Health Promoters, we remain deeply committed to serving our communities with integrity and respect. We urge all members of the public to rely on verified, factual information,” the health workers stated in their petition.

Amenya, who has gained prominence for previous whistleblowing activities, made headlines on December 2 when he published explosive claims on his X (formerly Twitter) account about the Kenya-U.S. health partnership. He alleged that President William Ruto’s administration had agreed to terms that would permit the sharing of sensitive patient information with the American government.

Among his most controversial claims, Amenya suggested the agreement would grant U.S. authorities real-time access to all Kenyan health records. He further alleged that disease specimens collected from Kenyan patients would be shared with approximately ten American pharmaceutical companies, raising significant concerns about data privacy and sovereignty.

The health deal in question was signed during President Ruto’s recent visit to Washington, with officials describing it as a framework for strengthening Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure, improving disease surveillance, and enhancing pandemic preparedness. The Kenyan government has maintained that the agreement adheres to all national laws regarding data protection and healthcare sovereignty.

This controversy emerges against the backdrop of increasing global concerns about healthcare data security and bioethical considerations in international health partnerships. In recent years, several African nations have been reassessing their health cooperation frameworks with Western powers, particularly regarding data sharing and biological sample transfers.

Health policy experts note that while international health partnerships can bring crucial resources and expertise, they must be balanced with stringent protections for patient privacy and national sovereignty. The outcome of this case could establish important precedents for how Kenya manages future international health collaborations.

The court has yet to issue a ruling on the CHPs’ petition, but the case highlights the growing tensions between transparency advocacy and the practical implementation of international health agreements in Kenya’s evolving healthcare landscape.

The Ministry of Health has not officially commented on the lawsuit, though it previously defended the U.S. agreement as beneficial to Kenya’s healthcare system and compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.