Ailing SHA system glitches complainant Grace Njoki released on Sh10,000 bail after dramatic arrest from hospital

Grace Njoki, 61, the lady who was dramatically arrested while seeking medical treatment at Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh’s area in Nairobi yesterday has been released on a police cash bail at Capitol Hill Police Station of Sh10,000 cash bail.
Njoki was seized by a battery of police officers before being booked at Capitol Hill Police Station where she was initially denied police bond.
However, today morning, she was not arraigned to face any charges including the claimed creating disturbance offences.
The cash bail was paid by ex-Nairobi governor Mike Sonko who promised to ensure Njoki gets justice.
She was represented by a battery of lawyers who called upon Kenyans affected by the SHA inefficiencies to submit their to be enjoined in the matter.
Njoki alongside a lactating mother stormed Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa’s office barely a month ago protesting failure of the controversial SHA system at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) which was confirmed as a true position by the KNH management.
An earlier post on X by his son George Mulei last evening had detailed that her mother had gone to Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh in Kamukunji sub-county seeking for knee surgery. She had been picked by a black Subaru car.
“Good evening, my mother Grace Njoki Mulei (61 years old), was at Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh (Thursday afternoon) where she was applying for a knee surgery. Grace Mulei visited the Ministry of Health offices protesting SHA inequalities and inefficiencies. During the application, she called me while frantically shouting that individuals identifying themselves as DCI officers had “come for her”. I immediately rushed to Ladnan Hospital, but upon arrival, we were informed that she has already been “taken”. We do not know her current whereabouts. I suspect she has been targeted by the State. Please assist urgently in locating her and ensuring her safety.”
Njoki who spoke to the press accompanied by Lawyers Ndegwa Njiru and Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo; narrated her ordeal at the hands of officers whom she accused of being tough on her with questioning and harassment.
“I was accosted while seeking treatment in Eastleigh by some officers who did not even bother to introduce themselves. On inquiry they told me I had to leave the place and so they took my phone and dragged me to a waiting vehicle. I was taken to three different location of which I did not about while manhandling me. I called my son and my husband earlier but the ordeal was just bad. I told them that I was only fighting for Kenyans. The hospital also tried to intervene but nothing doing.”
She added; I honestly felt like I was being abducted and scared yet there is nothing wrong I had done. I am unwell and I have a heart problem. They told me they knew where I was staying which was basically meant to intimidate me. All I want is patients’ rights and nothing more. I am not a politician but one who hates to see people suffer.”
LSK Representative, George Omwanza, while hailing Njoki’s heroism, accused government of trying to muzzle its opponents. “We want to tell President William Ruto that the buck stops with him. We will keep making noise until the government gets it right and this country is in the right direction. We want a healthy nation.”
A statement by the Police Reforms Working Group in partnership with the LSK and the Kenya Medical Association (KMA) expressed regret at the occurrence;
“According to reports, individuals identifying themselves as DCI officers arrested her and forcibly removed Grace Mulei from Ladnan Hospital where she was seeking services today. They drove her to Capitol Hill and have charged her with creating disturbance in a government office. She has been denied bail contrary to Article 49 (1) (h) of the Constitution of Kenya that gives an arrested person the right to be “released on bond or bail”, on reasonable conditions, pending a charge or trial, unless there are compelling reasons not to be released.”
“Such actions are a violation of patients’ fundamental rights and a significant barrier to accessing essential healthcare. Every individual, regardless of their advocacy or opinions, deserves the right to health without fear of intimidation, harassment or arrest. The Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to the highest attainable standard of health, and any actions that undermine this right are unacceptable. Picketing and expressing views on public matters is a constitutional right.”