Grace Mulei, woman who stormed Afya House over SHA inefficiencies arrested
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Thursday evening sent a statement confirming the arrest.
Grace Mulei, who made headlines for protesting at Afya House last week over grievances related to the Social Health Authority (SHA), has been arrested.
Her son, George Mulei, disclosed that the 61-year-old called him in distress, claiming that individuals identifying themselves as officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had taken her.
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“When she called me, she was frantically shouting that individuals identifying themselves as DCI officers had ‘come for her.’ I rushed to Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh, where she had been applying for knee surgery, but I was informed that she had already been taken,” George said.
Witnesses reported seeing Mulei being escorted into a black Subaru Outback with the registration number KCL 932B.
George has appealed for urgent assistance in locating his mother, saying, “We suspect she has been targeted by the State. Please assist urgently in ensuring her safety.”
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Thursday evening sent a statement confirming the arrest.
"A suspect has been arrested following reports of a disturbance at the Ministry of Health Boardroom at the Capital Hill Police Station. The suspect, Grace Njoki Mulei, was tracked down to Hombe Road, off Juja Road, and successfully apprehended," DCI said.
"She has been taken to Upper Hill Police Station, where she will remain in custody until her court appearance scheduled for tomorrow."
Condemnation
The Kenya Medical Association, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group have criticised the arrest of Mulei, terming it a violation of fundamental rights and an impediment to accessing essential healthcare.
“Every individual, regardless of their activism or opinions, has the right to healthcare without fear of harassment or arrest,” they said in a joint statement on Thursday.
They emphasised that the Kenyan Constitution guarantees the right to the highest attainable standard of health, as well as the right to picket and express views on public matters.
The organisations have called for the immediate review of Mulei’s case and the withdrawal of all charges against her. They have also expressed concern for other patients who participated in the protest, warning that they too may face harassment or detention.
“Advocating for improved public health services is not a crime. It is a civic responsibility to ensure access to equitable healthcare for all,” they said.
"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." She is expected to be taken to court tomorrow.
The groups urged the government to address the violations, protect patients’ rights, and ensure that health services can be accessed without fear or intimidation.
Grace Mulei and Diana Akoth, a mother of a three-day-old baby, were among a group of protesters who stormed Afya House last week to express their dissatisfaction with the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) system.
The protesters decried inefficiencies and inequalities within SHA, highlighting how glitches in the system have left many without access to crucial healthcare services.
“We have walked from Kenyatta Hospital to the SHIF offices, but nothing has been done to help us,” Mulei said.
They accused officials of neglect, claiming they were being sent in circles without solutions.
“We’ve gone to NHIF offices, the ICT department, and other offices on these floors, but no one is helping us,” she added.
Akoth, the distressed mother lamented, “This system is failing us. We demand the truth about SHIF and why it’s causing so much suffering.”
The Social Health Authority has faced growing criticism over its operations, including delays in registering dependents due to bureaucratic requirements like birth certificates. Many Kenyans who pay premiums have reported being unable to access treatment, citing unhelpful responses from SHA offices.
Technical challenges in integrating SHA’s systems with government databases have also caused inefficiencies, with patients bearing the brunt of high out-of-pocket expenses despite being enrolled in the program.
The 2.75 per cent household contribution fee has been widely criticised, with many feeling it does not provide sufficient value in terms of accessible healthcare services. Additionally, concerns about a lack of transparency in how premiums are allocated have further fuelled public frustration.
Calls for urgent reforms in the SHA system continue to grow, with citizens demanding more affordable, reliable, and efficient healthcare services.
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