Nairobi, Kenya, January 24- Grace Njoki, the woman arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) over alleged disturbance at the Ministry of Health Boardroom, has shared her account of the ordeal.

Njoki was released on Friday on a cash bail of KSh 10,000 after spending a night in police custody. Speaking after her release, she described the arrest as an “abduction,” claiming that the officers refused to identify themselves or explain the reason for her detention.

Arrest Details

Njoki recounted that she was at Ladnan Hospital seeking treatment when she noticed a security officer she recognized from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Although the officer claimed he was accompanying a patient, Njoki felt uneasy and suspected she was being followed.

“When I went to collect my results at KNH, the same officer appeared, greeted me, and questioned why I was there,” Njoki explained. Moments later, two individuals approached her, saying they needed to take her somewhere. When she asked where and why, they refused to provide details. One officer reportedly told her, “Upende usipende utatoka hapa” (Whether you like it or not, you will leave here).

She claimed the officers took her to three different locations before settling on where she would be detained.

Allegations of Mistreatment

Njoki said her attempts to contact her family and lawyer were thwarted as the officers confiscated her phone. When hospital staff tried to intervene, additional officers from Pangani Police Station allegedly stormed in and forcibly removed her from the premises.

“I was dragged, pinched, and bullied without being told why or where I was being taken. They demanded I write a statement, but I refused, asking about what? I have a heart condition, and they wouldn’t even let me call my lawyer or son except through their phone,” she recounted.

Njoki also criticized the timing and manner of her arrest, questioning why officers didn’t simply summon her to provide a statement, especially since they knew her residence.

Background on the Protest

The DCI stated that Njoki’s arrest stemmed from her involvement in a disturbance at the Ministry of Health offices on January 15, 2025. Njoki, a 61-year-old nurse, was part of a group protesting the inefficiencies and inequalities of the Social Health Authority (SHA) system.

Njoki maintains that her actions were in defense of patients’ rights. “I only went to fight for patients who have no voice. I am not a political leader; I am a nurse advocating for proper treatment and justice for patients. Stop taking patients’ money without giving them the care they deserve,” she asserted.

The incident has drawn widespread public attention, with many questioning the handling of Njoki’s arrest and the broader issues plaguing the healthcare system.

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