Technology guide
How does Kenya's Digital Health Act affect mental health platforms?
Kenya guidance for digital health, product and IT teams in mental health searching "Digital Health Act Kenya".
- Audience
- Digital health teams
- Topic
- Mental health
- Reviewed
- Oct 23, 2026
- Medical reviewer
- Independent clinical reviewer, Registered mental health clinician, Kenya
Quick answer
Kenya's Digital Health Act 2023 creates a national framework for digital health services, health information management and exchange. Mental health platforms operating in Kenya should expect obligations on data governance, security, interoperability and use of health data, alongside the Data Protection Act 2019. Product and compliance teams should review both with legal counsel.
On this page
Areas to review (for legal review)
Checklist
- Governance and registration requirements for digital health services.
- Health information management, security and retention.
- Interoperability and national health information exchange.
- Consent and secondary use of health data, including for analytics or AI.
- Interaction with the Data Protection Act 2019 and ODPC guidance.
Evaluation criteria
Questions to answer before choosing technology
Professional technology pages should stay product-neutral before they reference Tymira360 capabilities.
- Has the platform mapped obligations under both Acts?
- Is health data governance documented?
- Is the platform ready for national exchange requirements?
- Is legal review scheduled as regulations are issued?
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FAQs
Common questions
FAQs are written for readers first and only use structured data if visible content supports it.
When was Kenya's Digital Health Act passed?
The Digital Health Act was enacted in 2023.
Does the Data Protection Act still apply?
Yes. Health data remains sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act 2019.
Should startups wait for regulations before building?
No, but they should design for privacy, security and interoperability now and review as regulations are published.