Published on January 24, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 2 years by Agencies for Kenya Online News
” SHA Lioness” Grace Njoki Mulei, the woman arrested for storming Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa’s press briefing at Afya House last week, has been released on a Ksh.10,000 police cash bail.
This follows her arrest at Ladnan Hospital in Nairobi on Thursday night while she sought medical services.
Speaking outside Capitol Hill Police Station, where Njoki was being held, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru who was accompanied by former Governor Mike Sonko among other lawyers revealed that the police were unsure of the charges to press against her.
“They said they would continue with the investigations. This is a botched scheme that’s why they cannot prefer a court date. We are ready for you in court Madam Baraza,” he said.
Other lawyers present included Omwanza for the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Senator Dan Maanzo and family lawyer Johnstone Jnr.
“She was accused of causing disturbances by walking in on the Health CS. However, we have managed to secure her release,” Sonko said.
A statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) last night stated that Njoki was arrested for causing a disturbance at the Ministry of Health Boardroom.
“A suspect has been arrested following reports of a disturbance at the Ministry of Health Boardroom at the Capital Hill Police Station,” the statement read in part.
“The suspect, Grace Njoki Mulei, was tracked down to Hombe Road, off Juja Road, and successfully apprehended. She has been taken to Capital Hill Police Station, where she will remain in custody until her court appearance scheduled for Friday.”
Njoki, a 61-year-old nurse, was among the patients who visited the Ministry of Health offices on January 15, 2025, to protest the Social Health Authority’s (SHA) inefficiencies.
SHA, the health scheme touted as one of President William Ruto’s legacy projects, replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Njoki questioned why the scheme was not working; hence forcing patients to be stranded at hospitals.
The fracas led to Kenyatta National Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Evanson Kamuri acknowledging delays in the SHA system for over 48 hours which paralysed services. He, however, said that the issue had been rectified.
“The recent system downtime experienced over the last two days temporarily disrupted some services, causing delays in patient clearance and administrative processes,” the statement read in part.
