Kenyan software developer and activist Rose Njeri has been arrested and detained following her creation of an online tool designed to enable public participation in legislative processes. The tool, known as Civic Email, aims to facilitate citizens in submitting objections and feedback regarding the Finance Bill 2025.
Ms Njeri was arrested on Friday afternoon in South B and taken to Pangani Police Station. Her detention has since sparked widespread outrage across social media platforms, with human rights activists and legal experts demanding answers for her continued custody without bail or formal charges.
Rose Njeri developed Civic Email as a response to the often limited access citizens have to government processes. The platform allows users to directly send their objections or support regarding the Finance Bill 2025 to relevant government offices, thereby promoting transparency and citizen engagement in the legislative process.
Alongside Civic Email, Ms Njeri created another website that focuses on civic education and digital activism. This platform offers resources and tools to educate Kenyans on their rights and how to use digital means to participate actively in governance and policy advocacy.
Both platforms represent a growing movement among Kenyan tech activists to leverage technology in holding government accountable and enhancing democratic participation.
Lawyer John Khaminwa, who has been attempting to secure Ms Njeri’s bail, revealed on Saturday that the police have not released her despite repeated requests. “I spoke with the officer in charge at Pangani Police Station to request bail for Rose, but he said his hands are tied,” Mr Khaminwa said.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives have been silent on the exact reasons behind her detention, referring legal representatives to the Serious Crimes desk. Meanwhile, efforts by Ms Njeri’s legal team to obtain formal charges or reasons for her arrest have been met with frustrating delays.
Diana Gichengo, Executive Director of The Institute of Social Accountability (TISA), condemned the detention: “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.”
Human rights defenders and legal professionals have condemned the arrest as an intimidation tactic aimed at silencing dissent regarding the Finance Bill 2025.
“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 lawyer Khaminwa.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo has also criticised the obstruction of legal counsel: “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.”
Online, Kenyans continue to call for Rose Njeri’s immediate release, highlighting the arrest as contradictory to President William Ruto’s recent apology to the youth during the National Prayer Breakfast.
“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,” Ms Gichengo said.
The case of Rose Njeri underscores ongoing tensions between government authorities and activists striving to use technology as a tool for democratic participation and accountability in Kenya.
