In a shocking turn of events, Grace Njoki Mulei, a 61-year-old patient seeking medical assistance for knee surgery, was arrested at Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh by individuals identifying themselves as Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers on Thursday evening January 23, 2025.

The arrest comes after Mulei and other citizens on January 15, 2025, staged a protest at the Ministry of Health offices, highlighting inequities and inefficiencies in the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA/SHIF).

According to witnesses who spoke to the media, Mulei was forcibly removed from the hospital and transported to Capitol Hill, where she was charged with creating a disturbance in a government office.

This incident has sparked an outcry from human rights organizations, professional bodies, and civic groups, including the Kenya Medical Association, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group.

In a joint statement, these groups condemned the arrest as a violation of patients’ fundamental rights and an affront to the constitutional guarantee of the highest attainable standard of health.

“Every individual, regardless of their advocacy or opinions, deserves the right to health without fear of intimidation, harassment, or arrest,” the statement read.

It emphasized that picketing and expressing views on public matters is a constitutional right and should not be criminalized.

The statement also raised concerns about other patients who accompanied Mulei to the Ministry of Health offices on January 15, warning they too might face reprisals.

Mulei and others had been protesting inefficiencies in Kenya’s healthcare system, particularly the Social Health Insurance Fund, which has been plagued by claims of corruption and poor service delivery.

The coalition of organizations, which also includes Amnesty International Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and Transparency International Kenya, among others, has called for: the immediate release of Grace Njoki Mulei and the dropping of all charges against her, a thorough investigation into the actions of the officers involved in her arrest and government commitment to addressing inefficiencies in the SHA/SHIF to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all Kenyans.

The coalition also underscored the importance of fostering an environment where citizens can advocate for their rights without fear of intimidation or arrest.

“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 statement read.

Mulei’s arrest has ignited a broader conversation about the state of Kenya’s healthcare system and the government’s approach to dissent.

Critics argue that such heavy-handed tactics undermine public trust and deter citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.

As Mulei prepares to face court, the incident has drawn significant national and international attention.

Advocacy groups are rallying behind her, urging the government to uphold the principles of justice and human rights.

The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle for accountability and transparency in Kenya’s healthcare sector.