The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
Grace Njoki Mulei, who was detained after interrupting a press briefing by Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa at Afya House last week, has shared her distressing experience of being dragged and mistreated by the police during her arrest.
In a detailed recount of the incident, Njoki explained that she was forcibly removed from Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh, where she had gone for medical attention. She claimed the officers who arrested her did not identify themselves and handled her roughly as they took her into custody.
“I was dragged out of the hospital, bullied, and pinched. They didn’t explain why I was being arrested or where they were taking me. They demanded I write a statement, but when I asked for clarification, they refused to explain. Throughout the ordeal, I felt threatened,” Njoki said, visibly shaken. “I have a heart condition, and they showed no concern for that. They just wanted me to write a statement, even though I had no idea what it was about,” she added.
Njoki pointed out that the way she was treated was unnecessary, especially since her only intention was to speak out for patients who she believes are not receiving proper care. “I’m not a politician. I’m a nurse, and I’ve always fought for patients’ rights. I went there to speak up for those who can’t voice their concerns. It’s wrong to take their money and not provide the necessary treatment,” she said.
She further stated that the police should have asked her to come to the station if they needed a statement, rather than using such forceful tactics. “They didn’t need to treat me like that. If they wanted a statement, they could have simply called me to the station,” she remarked.
Njoki, who was arrested along with another woman during a protest over delays in the SHA health program, emphasized that her actions were driven by a desire for change in the healthcare system, not political motives. “I’m fighting for patients who don’t have the means or platform to speak up. That’s why I went there,” she explained.
Her lawyer and supporters have expressed concern over how the police handled the situation, with many arguing that Njoki’s actions were within her rights as a concerned citizen. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) later clarified that Njoki was arrested for causing a disturbance during the press briefing.
Njoki’s son, George Mulei, who was informed during the incident, said his mother called him in distress, saying they had “come for her.” By the time he arrived at the hospital, she had already been taken into custody.
Despite the troubling experience, Njoki remains resolute in her advocacy for patient rights, vowing not to let the mistreatment silence her efforts.
