CCTV footage has surfaced showing the disturbing moments when Grace Njoki Mulei was arrested and forcibly dragged from Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
The footage, which has since been widely circulated, shows Mulei being apprehended by a group of officers, who physically drag her from the hospital despite her protests.
This has raised serious concerns as Mulei, a 61-year-old patient, was seeking medical treatment at the time.
Witnesses to the event, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed shock at the harshness of the arrest. One witness described the scene, saying, “It was like a scene from a movie.
We couldn’t believe what was happening she was dragged out of the hospital, and it seemed like she was being treated like a criminal, not a patient.”
The incident has sparked outrage, especially considering that Mulei was reportedly in a vulnerable condition when she was detained.
Grace Njoki Mulei’s family has condemned the manner in which she was arrested, calling it inhumane.
A relative, who asked to remain unnamed, said, “We are appalled by the way Grace was treated. She was not in any state to be dragged out of a hospital.
The whole thing was inhumane and completely unnecessary.”
Mulei’s lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, revealed that the police were unsure of the charges against her.
“They said they would continue with the investigations. This is a botched scheme, which is why they cannot prefer a court date.
We are ready for you in court, Madam Baraza,” Njiru stated, hinting that the incident may have been linked to Mulei’s recent protests against the inefficiencies of the Social Health Authority (SHA), a health initiative launched by President William Ruto’s government.
Mulei had been one of the women who stormed a press briefing at Afya House on January 15, 2025, to voice concerns over the SHA’s failures, which led to disruptions in services at hospitals such as Kenyatta National Hospital.
A statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that Mulei was arrested for causing a disturbance at the Ministry of Health’s boardroom.
The arrest has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups, including the Kenya Medical Association and the Law Society of Kenya, who described the action as a violation of patients’ fundamental rights.
“Every individual, regardless of their advocacy or opinions, deserves the right to health without fear of intimidation, harassment, or arrest,” they stated.
These groups are now calling for the immediate review of the incident and for the charges against Mulei to be dropped.
The arrest has also raised alarms about the increasing use of force by law enforcement in dealing with vulnerable individuals.
The public and human rights organizations are calling for a review of police procedures, particularly when patients are involved, and for better protection of citizens’ rights under the Constitution, which guarantees access to healthcare and freedom of expression.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the authorities have promised to take appropriate action if any misconduct is found.
“We are looking into the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Grace Njoki Mulei,” a police spokesperson said, vowing accountability for those responsible.
