SHA Protester Arrested, Awaiting Surgery At Ladnan Hospital Owned By SHA Chairperson

Grace Njoki Mulei, aged 61, was arrested following her participation in protests against the inefficiencies of the Social Health Authority (SHA) at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). The police located and apprehended her at Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh, where she was preparing for knee surgery. She was charged with causing a disturbance at a government office and subsequently denied bail.

Human rights organizations, including the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Medical Association, have condemned the arrest, labeling it a breach of Mulei’s constitutional rights to health and peaceful assembly. These groups are calling for the charges to be dropped and for authorities to uphold patients’ rights to advocate for improved healthcare services without intimidation. KNH has since issued an apology for the system failures.

The situation has raised questions about why the SHA system failed at KNH but functioned smoothly at Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh. Notably, Ladnan Hospital is owned by Mohammed Abdi, the chairperson of the SHA, leading to widespread allegations of a significant conflict of interest.

Critics also argue that the incident represents a violation of privacy, accusing Abdi of leveraging his position as hospital owner to disclose patient information to law enforcement.

Mulei, previously active in advocating for healthcare improvements, was among those who protested at the Ministry of Health on January 15, 2025, highlighting the inequalities and inefficiencies within the SHA.