In a dramatic turn of events, Grace Njoki Mulei, a citizen activist, has accused law enforcement of violating her rights following her arrest for allegedly storming a Ministry of Health boardroom in protest over ongoing SHA system outages.
Speaking shortly after her release on a Ksh 10,000 cash bail, Mulei revealed that she was coerced into writing a false statement and was not informed of the charges against her at the time of her arrest. She described her detention, which included spending a night in police custody, as an affront to her constitutional rights.
“This was a blatant violation of my rights as a citizen,” Mulei stated, her voice tinged with frustration. “I was not told why I was being detained, and I was pressured into signing a statement I knew to be untrue.”
The incident has sparked outrage, with legal professionals and activists condemning the arrest as a breach of the rule of law. Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, issued a strong statement denouncing the police’s actions.
“The persecution of Grace Mulei for demanding accountability from the Government is anathema to our constitution and rule of law,” Odhiambo said. “Her arrest is not only substantively flawed but was carried out in a manner inconsistent with the inherent dignity of every person, particularly vulnerable members of society.”
Odhiambo emphasized that the alleged offence of causing a public disturbance is a minor infraction, punishable by a fine or a maximum of six months’ imprisonment. According to Article 49(2) of the Constitution, individuals accused of such offences cannot be remanded in custody.
“The actions of the police and DCI in detaining Grace Mulei offend the constitution, the law, and even the standing orders of the police,” she continued. “The LSK will provide legal support to ensure justice is served.”
The arrest stemmed from an incident where Mulei allegedly interrupted proceedings at the Ministry of Health to demand accountability for the persistent outages affecting the SHA system, which has disrupted crucial public services. Supporters claim her actions reflect the frustrations of many citizens facing systemic inefficiencies.
The case has drawn attention to the treatment of activists and the broader issue of government accountability. Legal experts warn that the manner of Mulei’s arrest could set a worrying precedent for handling dissent and public advocacy.
As the case unfolds, all eyes will remain on the judicial process, with the LSK and civil society groups vowing to pursue justice for Grace Mulei.
