In a dramatic and controversial incident, Grace Njoki Mulei, a 61-year-old advocate for healthcare reform, was arrested on Thursday evening January 23, 2025, while at Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh.
The arrest has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed scrutiny of Kenya’s healthcare system and human rights record.
The arrest comes just days after Mulei and other citizens held a protest at the Ministry of Health on January 15, 2025, demanding accountability and reforms in the Social Health Authority (SHA), which has been mired in claims of corruption and inefficiency.
Mulei’s vocal criticism of the Health Cabinet Secretary and the healthcare system’s failures has made her a prominent figure in the movement for equitable healthcare access.
Mulei’s family lawyer, Johnstone Daniel Jnr, addressed the media outside Ladnan Hospital, where the arrest occurred.
“The son received a call around 5 p.m. that there were police officers in plain clothes here pretending they were here to have a conversation with her, and then they later proceeded to arrest her,” Daniel said.
“They refused to identify themselves, they refused to state what charges they were bringing against her, they refused to wait for her advocate to be on the ground, and they have consistently pushed her to write statements, the content of which we do not know. We disavow anything that they claim to have stated.”
Daniel went on to highlight the timing of the arrest, which he described as beyond humanity as Mulei was scheduling her knee surgery.
“This is a lady who was coming here to schedule an operation on her leg tomorrow. She was having a consultation with her doctor today to confirm the same. It is beyond humanity to think that officers will step in… with a contingent of upwards of 12 to 15 officers over charges which could not amount to six months,” he lamented.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed Grace Mulei’s arrest in a post on social media, revealing that they will arreign her in court on Friday January 24, 2025.
“ARREST OF A SUSPECT FOR CREATING DISTURBANCE A suspect has been arrested following reports of a disturbance at the Ministry of Health Boardroom at the Capital Hill Police Station. The suspect, Grace Njoki Mulei, was tracked down to Hombe Road, off Juja Road, and successfully apprehended. She has been taken to Capital Hill Police Station, where she will remain in custody until her court appearance scheduled for tomorrow,” DCI said.
Arrest sparks outcry
Witnesses said Mulei was forcibly removed from the hospital and taken to Capitol Hill Police Station, where she was charged with creating a disturbance in a government office.
The manner of her arrest and the involvement of a large contingent of officers has sparked outrage among human rights groups, professional bodies, and civic organizations.
In a joint statement, the Kenya Medical Association, Law Society of Kenya, Police Reforms Working Group, Amnesty International Kenya, and others condemned the arrest as a gross violation of Mulei’s rights.
“Every individual, regardless of their advocacy or opinions, deserves the right to health without fear of intimidation, harassment, or arrest,” the statement read.
“Advocating for improved public health services is not a crime. It is a civic duty to ensure life-saving health services for a healthier and more equitable society.”
The coalition called for Mulei’s immediate release and the dropping of all charges against her.
They also demanded a thorough investigation into the actions of the officers involved and urged the government to prioritize addressing inefficiencies in the SHA/SHIF to guarantee equitable access to healthcare for all Kenyans.
Healthcare under spotlight
Mulei’s arrest has reignited debate over Kenya’s healthcare system, particularly the management of the SHA/SHIF.
Critics argue that the fund, intended to provide affordable healthcare to millions of Kenyans, has failed in its mandate due to corruption and mismanagement.
Mulei and other protesters have accused the government of neglecting citizens’ needs while tolerating systemic inefficiencies.
Human rights groups warn that Mulei’s arrest could set a dangerous precedent, deterring citizens from exercising their constitutional rights to picket and advocate for better governance.
Mulei remains in police custody, as of writing this article, with her family and supporters demanding her release and emphasizing her medical needs.
Her arrest, occurring under such circumstances, has turned her into a symbol of resistance against systemic failures and the fight for a more equitable healthcare system.
