A collage of Grace Njoki and Health CS Deborah Barasa/FILE
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has affirmed that she did not sanction the arrest of the woman who stormed her press conference over Social Health Authority issues weeks ago.
Barasa nonetheless apologised to the Grace Njoki following the tribulations she went through during her arrest.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen Television on Thursday, the CS maintained that she was not involved in her arrest.
“She may be watching the television and I want to tell her sorry for what happened to her,” Barasa said.
The CS said the ministry has a patient-centric approach, “meaning we officials are there to serve Kenyans.”
“We have been employed by Kenyans to serve them,” she explained.
Barasa further said the ministry strives to resolve all complaints raised by Kenyans.
“We strive to address complaints, and that is the direction I want the ministry to take. We should be listening to what people are saying and addressing any problems they may be having,” she added.
Appearing before MPs during a retreat in Naivasha on January 30, 2025, Medical Services PS Harry Kimtai confirmed that the Ministry of Health was the complainant in the case against Njoki.
“The MoH is the complaint in the case, and the offense is trespassing and causing commotion,” he said.
“In the interest of the image of the Ministry of Health and the public, the Ministry will withdraw the complaint," Kimtai assured the lawmakers.
A statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had stated that Njoki was arrested for causing a disturbance at the Ministry of Health Boardroom.
MPs had pressed the PS to clarify the specific offense Njoki committed when she visited Afya House to express her frustrations over SHA’s failures.
Leader of Majority in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung'wah, demanded clarification on who had filed the complaint against Njoki and her alleged crime.
Njoki was among the patients who visited the Ministry of Health offices on January 15, 2025, to protest SHA’s challenges.
She was one of the women who stormed Barasa's press briefing at Afya House last week and was released on a Sh10,000 police cash bail.
