Grace Mulei Arrested and Released on Ksh.10,000 Bail

Grace Mulei Arrested and Released on Ksh.10,000 Bail. Grace Njoki Mulei, one of the individuals involved in last week’s commotion during Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa’s press briefing at Afya House, has been released on a Ksh.10,000 police cash bail. Njoki was arrested on Thursday night at Ladnan Hospital in Nairobi while seeking medical care.

According to lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, who represented Njoki, the authorities are still uncertain about the charges to file against her. “This is a failed attempt to intimidate her. That’s why they are hesitant to bring the case to court. We are ready to defend her in court, Madam Barasa,” Njiru remarked.

Other legal representatives supporting Njoki included Omwanza of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Senator Dan Maanzo, and family lawyer Johnstone Jnr.

Arrest and Allegations

A statement released by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that Njoki was arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance during the Health CS’s address at the Ministry of Health Boardroom.

“The suspect, Grace Njoki Mulei, was tracked to Hombe Road, off Juja Road, and arrested successfully. She is currently in custody at Capital Hill Police Station pending her court appearance,” the DCI statement noted.

Njoki, a 61-year-old nurse, had been among a group of concerned patients who visited the Ministry of Health offices on January 15, 2025, to protest inefficiencies in the newly implemented Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme. This health initiative, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), was introduced as a key component of President William Ruto’s health reforms.

Protests Over SHA Delays

Njoki voiced her frustration with the SHA system, questioning why its inefficiencies had left patients stranded in hospitals. The disruption caused by the protests prompted Kenyatta National Hospital’s CEO, Evanson Kamuri, to address the issue. Kamuri admitted that technical issues with the SHA system had caused delays in services for more than 48 hours but assured the public that the problem had been resolved.

“The recent system downtime disrupted services temporarily, delaying patient clearance and administrative processes. The issue has now been rectified,” Kamuri stated.

Legal Support and Advocacy

Outside Capital Hill Police Station, where Njoki was being held, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, accompanied by former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and other legal representatives, criticized the authorities for their handling of the case. “The police don’t even know which charges to press against her. This is a blatant attempt to silence dissent,” Njiru commented.

Mike Sonko, who also spoke at the station, revealed that Njoki’s release had been secured despite the allegations. “She was accused of causing a disturbance by confronting the Health CS, but we’ve successfully negotiated her release,” Sonko said.

Grace Njoki Mulei’s case has drawn significant attention, with many viewing her actions as a bold stand against a flawed healthcare system. The outcome of this case is being closely monitored as it unfolds.