Grace Njoki Mulei, the healthcare reform advocate who was arrested for protesting at the Ministry of Health over the challenges facing the Social Health Administration (SHA), has been released on a Sh10,000 cash bail. The arrest occurred after Mulei stormed the ministry’s boardroom on January 15, 2025, during a press briefing by Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa.
According to Mulei’s lawyer, the police are still uncertain about the exact charges to file against her. Despite her detention, the authorities have struggled to determine what offense she committed during the protest. Mulei had been calling for accountability and improvements in Kenya’s healthcare system, especially in relation to the SHA’s inefficiencies.
Mulei’s arrest, which occurred while she was preparing for surgery, sparked outrage from human rights groups and political leaders. Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua were among those who demanded her release, arguing that her actions were a form of civic duty and not a crime. They also criticized the arrest as a violation of Mulei’s fundamental rights, especially as she was detained at a hospital.
After spending a night in police custody, Mulei was granted bail, and her case continues to draw attention. Advocates for her cause stress that fighting for better healthcare should never lead to arrest, especially when it concerns fundamental rights such as access to health services.
The controversy surrounding her arrest has prompted renewed discussions on the right to protest and the government’s role in ensuring that healthcare systems serve the public effectively. Mulei’s supporters are calling for the charges to be dropped entirely, urging the authorities to focus on improving the healthcare system rather than intimidating activists.
By Kenyans