Ministry of Health agrees to drop case against SHA protester Grace Njoki

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has decided to withdraw its case against Grace Njoki, one of the women who brazenly interrupted Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa's press briefing at Afya House a fortnight ago.

The update was provided in a statement by the National Assembly on Wednesday, following a mid-term retreat for MPs in Naivasha.

Speaker Moses Wetangula initiated the discussion about Njoki’s predicament just as Health Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai, SHA CEO Richard Ingasira and Chairperson Abdi Mohamed were making presentations before the legislators on the new health insurance system, expressing disapproval of the way she was treated.

Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah then asked PS Kimtai to clarify who had filed the complaint against Njoki and what the alleged offense was.

“Kenyans want to know who was the complainant in the case against the lady. Was it the ministry that was the aggrieved party, or was it SHA?” Ichungw’ah posed, further criticising the way the situation was handled and likening it to making a mountain out of a molehill.

In response, PS Kimtai told the MPs that the ministry had indeed pressed charges against Njoki, much to the surprise of Speaker Wetangula who advised him to reconsider the decision since nobody was injured during the Afya House incident.

"The Ministry of Health being a public place, you cannot talk of trespass. I will give you free advice now that you have admitted that the Ministry of Health is the complainant in the case. Please consider reviewing it and withdrawing the complaint,” said Wetangula.

“In the interest of the image of the Ministry of Health and the public, the Ministry will withdraw the complaint," PS Kimtai assured the lawmakers in response.

National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo similarly shared an update on the same in a Facebook post, highlighting that Kimtai caved in to pressure from MPs who insisted that the charges against Njoki be dropped.

“In Naivasha for mid-term retreat for Members of Parliament. We have had a candid discussion on SHIF/SHA. Members have demanded that the PS Health withdraw complaints against Grace Njoki, the woman charged with creating a disturbance at the Ministry. He has agreed,” said Odhiambo.

Ms. Odhiambo added that Kimtai had also agreed to establish a dedicated unit to support individuals facing frustration with the Social Health Authority (SHA), as well as to address other ongoing concerns at the Ministry, including inefficiencies and delays in service delivery.

“He (Kimtai) has agreed to set up a compassionate unit to deal with people who are frustrated. They are also going to address other complaints. The Speaker has also ordered the Health Committee to give a report to the House when we open,” said the Suba North MP.

Njoki was arrested on January 23 for causing a disturbance at Barasa’s briefing on January 15, 2025. She was apprehended by police officers while seeking treatment at Ladnan Hospital in Pangani.

She was subsequently freed on a Ksh.10,000 cash bail on January 24 after being held at Capitol Hill Police Station.

Recounting her ordeal to journalists after her release, Njoki passionately explained that her actions to storm Barasa’s briefing stemmed from her desire to fight for patients’ rights, since the SHA is inefficient and putting the health of Kenyans in jeopardy.

“I just came to fight for the patients who have no voice. I am not a political leader. I am not looking for anything; I’m a nurse and all those people who know me, I have always fought for patients,” she said.

“That’s all I want. Give patients their rights, let them get proper treatment, stop ta taking the money and not giving treatment because that is what is happening.”