Grace Njoki Mulei, a 61-year-old health activist, was arrested on January 23, 2025, at Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh, Nairobi, while she was scheduled for knee surgery. The arrest followed her involvement in protests against the inefficiencies of the Social Health Authority (SHA) at the Ministry of Health’s Afya House on January 15, 2025.
Mulei had confronted Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa during a press briefing, highlighting issues with the healthcare system.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) made the arrest. They tracked Mulei to Hombe Road off Juja Road and took her into custody. She is currently detained at Capitol Hill Police Station, and her court appearance is scheduled for January 24, 2025.
The DCI alleges that Mulei was involved in creating a disturbance at the Ministry of Health boardroom, though civil society groups and medical organisations have condemned the arrest as an infringement on her rights to advocate for better healthcare services.
Public reaction has been largely critical of the arrest, with many users viewing it as an attempt to silence dissent against government health policies.
Several human rights and health advocacy groups, including Amnesty International, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Kenya Medical Association, have demanded her immediate release, arguing that her arrest while receiving medical treatment violates her fundamental rights.
The controversy also involves allegations that the hospital where she was arrested, Ladnan Hospital, is owned by Dr. Mohamed Abdi Mohamed, the chairperson of SHA, which adds a layer of complexity to the situation.
This connection has fuelled discussions about potential conflicts of interest and the use of state power to suppress criticism of government policies.
This case has highlighted broader concerns about freedom of speech, the right to protest, and access to healthcare in Kenya, drawing attention from both local and international bodies.