The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Grace Njoki Mulei on Thursday for allegedly causing a disturbance at the Ministry of Health Boardroom last week. Mulei, a 61-year-old patient, had reportedly protested against systemic inequalities and inefficiencies in public health services during a press briefing by Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo on January 15, 2025.
According to the DCI, Mulei was tracked down on Hombe Road, off Juja Road, and taken into custody. She is currently being held at Upper Hill Police Station, awaiting her court appearance scheduled for Friday. The incident has sparked significant backlash from civil society organizations and professional bodies, who argue that Mulei’s actions reflect legitimate grievances about Kenya’s public health system.
Civil society groups, including the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), have called for her immediate release and the dropping of charges. In a joint statement with the Police Reforms Working Group-Kenya, these organizations emphasized that advocating for improved public health services is a fundamental right and not a crime.
“This is a violation of patients’ fundamental rights and creates significant barriers to accessing essential healthcare,” the statement read. “Advocating for better health services is a civic duty aimed at ensuring equitable and life-saving healthcare for all Kenyans.”
The coalition, comprising grassroots and national organizations such as Amnesty International Kenya, HAKI Africa, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), expressed concerns over the potential risks faced by other patients involved in the protest. They called for an urgent review of policing practices to safeguard the rights of citizens advocating for critical public services.
The arrest has intensified public discourse on the state of healthcare in Kenya, with activists decrying systemic failures in delivering equitable and accessible medical services. Critics argue that the government’s response to protests particularly those highlighting public health deficiencies stifles democratic freedoms and patient advocacy.
The civil society groups underscored the importance of fostering an environment where Kenyans can freely voice concerns without fear of intimidation, harassment, or arrest. “Addressing these violations is crucial to ensuring a healthier and more equitable society,” they stated.
The case has put a spotlight on the Kenyan government’s commitment to upholding citizens’ rights and addressing long-standing inequalities in the health sector.
