Grace Njoki Mulei, a 61-year-old health activist, was arrested at Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh, Nairobi, while she was seeking medical attention. Has been released on bond.
Mulei was arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on January 23, 2025. She was charged with creating a disturbance at the Ministry of Health following her participation in protests against the inefficiencies of the Social Health Authority (SHA) on January 15, 2025. She was taken to Capitol Hill Police Station and was scheduled for a court appearance on January 24, 2025.
Mulei was part of a group of patients and activists who had previously stormed a press briefing by Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa at Afya House, demanding better healthcare reforms. Her arrest at the hospital was particularly controversial as she was there for knee surgery.
Various human rights and civil society organisations, including the Law Society of Kenya, Kenya Medical Association, and Amnesty International, along with the Police Reforms Working Group, have condemned the arrest.
They argue it infringes on her rights to healthcare and peaceful protest, calling for her immediate release and an investigation into the circumstances of her arrest. The incident has sparked significant public outrage regarding the treatment of activists and the freedom of expression in Kenya.
Mulei suffers from hypertension, diabetes, and a heart condition, raising concerns about the impact of her arrest and detention on her health. Her lawyer reported that she was denied bail, and there were allegations of her being forced to write statements under duress.
There’s been a notable point of contention regarding the ownership of Ladnan Hospital, where Mulei was arrested. Dr. Mohamed Abdi Mohamed, the chairman of SHA, is also the founder of this hospital, leading to discussions on conflicts of interest.
The arrest of Grace Njoki Mulei has highlighted issues of human rights, the right to protest, and the treatment of activists in Kenya, drawing significant attention from both local and international communities.
