A chilling CCTV footage has captured the dramatic arrest of Grace Njoki, a nurse and activist, at Ladnan Hospital, raising serious questions about police conduct and human rights. Njoki, who had previously participated in a protest at the Ministry of Health offices, was arrested by officers while seeking medical treatment for knee-related issues at the hospital.
The footage, lasting two minutes and 51 seconds, shows Njoki struggling to walk up the stairs due to her knee problems, dressed in a blue and green checked dress and grey boots. Despite her visible discomfort, she proceeds to interact with hospital attendants, seemingly unaware of the looming danger. However, moments later, her life would take a drastic turn.
A female officer in a navy blue suit is seen approaching Njoki, touching her shoulder, and initiating a conversation. As Njoki tries to move away, two men, believed to be plainclothes officers, enter the scene and engage with her. Alarmed and unsure of the situation, Njoki attempts to make a phone call, but her attempt is interrupted when another female officer steps forward, ready to grab her arm.
Within minutes, the situation escalates. Four officers are seen attempting to forcibly grab Njoki, who struggles to break free from their tight grip. Her screams of “Let go of me!” echo in the hallway as she is dragged out of the hospital. Onlookers, frozen by fear or uncertainty, do nothing to intervene as the officers haul her towards the exit. The footage ends with Njoki being taken into a waiting car.
Following her arrest, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) released a statement claiming that Njoki was arrested for causing a disturbance at the Ministry of Health Boardroom. However, Njoki, in her account, described the incident as an abduction, alleging that the officers did not identify themselves and refused to explain the reason for her arrest. She further revealed that she was taken to three different locations before finally being detained.
Njoki, 61, had been among the women protesting the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme, a health initiative introduced to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). The protest was in response to issues with the SHA system, which had caused disruptions in patient services at Kenyatta National Hospital.
This arrest has raised concerns over the use of excessive force by law enforcement and the lack of transparency in the handling of protests. As the public continues to scrutinize the actions of the police, questions remain about the future of citizens’ rights to peacefully protest and seek justice.
