Kenyan software developer and civic activist Rose Njeri has sparked national outcry following her arrest on Friday afternoon in South B for developing Civic Email, an online tool that enables citizens to send objections to the controversial Finance Bill 2025.
Njeri was taken to Pangani Police Station, where she remains in custody without formal charges or bail—more than 24 hours since her arrest.
The situation has alarmed human rights defenders and legal experts, who say the move amounts to state intimidation against civic tech initiatives and dissenting voices.
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Veteran lawyer John Khaminwa, who attempted to secure her release, told reporters on Saturday, “I spoke with the officer in charge at Pangani Police Station to request bail for Rose, but he said his hands are tied.”
Efforts by her legal team have been stonewalled by police and detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who have declined to provide reasons for her continued detention. Lawyers were instead referred to the DCI’s Serious Crimes desk—without further clarification.
Diana Gichengo, Executive Director of The Institute of Social Accountability (TISA), condemned the arrest, saying, “Anyone charged with a crime should be produced before court as soon as possible. Rose was brought to Pangani yesterday at 1 p.m., so there has been ample time to process bail. She is anemic, and to date, neither I nor senior counsel have been shown any formal charges.”
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) also weighed in, accusing police of obstructing access to justice. LSK President Faith Odhiambo said: “All efforts to secure her release on police bail have been frustrated by the officers in charge, who have yet to respond to counsel’s requests.”
Njeri’s arrest has been widely condemned on social media, where Kenyans are demanding her immediate release and accusing the government of violating civil liberties.
“This young woman made some comments on the Finance Bill that were not well received by those in authority. In my view, this is most unfortunate,” said Khaminwa, adding that her arrest was an attempt to “punish dissent.”
The arrest comes just days after President William Ruto issued a public apology to Kenyan youth during the National Prayer Breakfast, vowing to uphold their freedoms and listen to their concerns.
“This is happening just days after an apology was issued. It raises serious questions about the freedoms we are supposed to enjoy when even senior counsel are forced to work late into the night trying to secure justice,” Gichengo said.
As calls for justice grow louder, Njeri’s case is fast becoming a litmus test for the government’s commitment to democratic values and digital rights.