The Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi have dismissed criminal charges against web developer and activist Rose Njeri, citing a lack of clarity in the allegations. Njeri, who was arrested over her online activism against the proposed Finance Bill 2025, walked free on Friday, June 20, after Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo ruled that the charges did not disclose any offence.
“The two counts as presently presented do not disclose an offence as they are ambiguous,” said Onsarigo during the ruling. He further declined to admit the charges, resulting in Njeri’s immediate release.
Njeri had been charged with unauthorised interference with computer systems under Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. The prosecution accused her of creating an online platform that enabled Kenyans to submit objections to the contentious Finance Bill, a civic initiative that quickly gained public traction.
Her defence team, which included legal heavyweights such as former Chief Justice David Maraga, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, argued that the charge sheet was vague and failed to meet legal standards. They urged the court to reject the charges and release her on reasonable terms.
Following her arrest, authorities had seized several of Njeri’s electronic devices, including a CPU, hard drive, mobile phone, and flash disks. The prosecution initially claimed the devices were undergoing review by the cybercrime unit. However, the court ordered that all items be returned immediately.
The ruling has sparked widespread praise from civil rights advocates and the tech community, who view Njeri’s case as a significant moment in the fight for digital rights and civic freedom in Kenya. Her arrest had ignited concern over growing state surveillance and the criminalisation of online dissent.
Njeri’s release underscores the critical role of the judiciary in upholding constitutional rights and protecting civic actors. As Kenyans continue to engage with national policy debates, her case sets a precedent for how digital activism intersects with freedom of expression in the digital age.
