Githunguri Constituency Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has praised Grace Mulei for her advocacy efforts, urging that she be nominated for a global award and serve in the next Kenyan Parliament.
This comes after Mulei was released on cash bail following her arrest after her protest over delays in the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA) health program.
In a statement shared via her X account on Sunday, January 26, 2025, Wamuchomba described Mulei as a role model for women leaders, highlighting her selflessness, boldness, and dedication to improving healthcare.
“This is absurd and hypocritical. Grace should be nominated for a global award and serve in the next Kenyan Parliament. She’s a good example of a Women Representative who cares for a generation—selfless and bold,” Wamuchomba stated.
She also commended Mulei for her commitment to fighting for better healthcare for Kenyans, specifically referencing Mulei’s visit to the Ministry of Health to address challenges in accessing services through SHA.
“I commend retired Nurse Grace Mulei for her bravery and commitment in advocating for what is right for Kenyans by visiting the Minister for Health over challenges in accessing health services via the SHA,” the MP stated.
Wamuchomba shared her own experiences with medical fundraisers and distress calls from women detained in hospitals due to inability to pay medical bills.
“Every day, including today, I get invited to medical-related fundraisers, and the most disheartening are the distress calls from women detained in hospitals after childbirth,” she said.
She criticized hospitals for detaining women and families due to unpaid bills, likening them to illegal detention centres.
“Kenyan hospitals have become illegal detention centres for lactating mothers who can’t afford to pay hefty medical bills. When an ambassador of goodwill decides to face the tormentors, she is incarcerated for creating a disturbance!” Wamuchomba added.
Dramatic arrest
Mulei recounted her dramatic arrest moments after being released on a Ksh10,000 cash bail.
Speaking on Friday, January 24, 2025, Mulei stated that she had gone to the hospital for treatment when she noticed a security officer she had previously seen at Kenyatta National Hospital. She confronted him, suspecting she was being followed, but the officer claimed he was attending to a patient.
“Less than 10 minutes later, he and a lady told me they wanted to take me somewhere. I asked them what I had done or where they were taking me; they refused to tell me. They said I was not being arrested,” she narrated.
Mulei described being forcibly carried out of the hospital by the officers.
“I felt threatened. Then I asked, why are you arresting me? They did not clarify. After that, when I called my son and husband and informed them what was happening, they grabbed and took my phone. The hospital tried to intervene because I was going for medical treatment. The officers carried me, they manhandled me, I was carried by force out of the hospital, and I was dragged, I was pinched, and all through they never told me where they arrested me. They insisted I write a statement,” she added.
“I am not a political leader and am not looking for anything. I am a nurse. I just came to fight for the patient who had no voice.”
