The Ministry of Health has moved to clarify concerns surrounding its data-sharing agreement, insisting that no personal or identifiable patient information is being shared with third parties.
In a public explainer released on Monday, the ministry said the agreement strictly involves the sharing of aggregate health data, broad statistical information used to improve healthcare planning, monitoring and service delivery across the country.
According to the Ministry, aggregate data refers to combined information that cannot be traced back to any individual. This includes overall totals, general trends, system performance indicators and system uptime statistics. Officials stressed that such data is commonly used worldwide to help governments understand how health systems are functioning and where improvements are needed.
“This kind of data helps us see the bigger picture,” the Ministry said.
“It allows us to identify patterns, measure performance and make informed decisions without exposing personal details of patients.”
The clarification follows growing public debate and concern over data protection, especially in the health sector, where sensitive information is involved. In recent weeks, questions have been raised about whether data-sharing arrangements could expose Kenyans’ private medical details to external access or misuse.
The Ministry was emphatic that no personal data is included in the agreement.
Information that is not shared, it said, includes patients’ names, national identification numbers, phone contacts, physical addresses, individual medical files and personal health records. Officials reassured the public that individual-level data remains fully protected under existing data protection laws and health confidentiality standards.
Health experts say aggregate data plays a crucial role in strengthening healthcare systems. By analysing trends such as hospital attendance rates, disease patterns and system performance, authorities can respond faster to health emergencies, allocate resources more efficiently and improve service delivery in underserved areas.
For example, trend data can help identify rising cases of a particular illness, while performance indicators can show whether health facilities are operating efficiently. System uptime data, on the other hand, helps monitor the reliability of digital health platforms used by hospitals and clinics.
The Ministry said all data-sharing activities are guided by strict legal and technical safeguards. These include compliance with Kenya’s Data Protection Act, internal controls on data access and continuous monitoring to prevent misuse.
“We understand the sensitivity of health information,” the Ministry noted.
“That is why personal health records remain confidential and protected at all times.”
Civil society groups and digital rights advocates have repeatedly called on public institutions to be transparent about how data is collected, stored and shared. While welcoming the Ministry’s clarification, some stakeholders say sustained public engagement is necessary to build trust around digital health initiatives.
The government has in recent years invested heavily in health information systems to improve efficiency and accountability. Officials argue that responsible data sharing, limited to non-identifiable information, is essential for policy formulation and improving healthcare outcomes.
The Ministry urged members of the public to seek information from official sources and avoid misinformation that could cause unnecessary alarm.
“Our commitment is to improve healthcare while safeguarding the privacy and dignity of every Kenyan,” the statement said.
As digital health systems continue to expand, the Ministry said it will continue to update the public on how health data is used, handled and protected, underscoring that privacy remains a top priority .
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