Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for the immediate release of Rose Njeri, a software developer and activist arrested for creating a website that mobilized Kenyans to oppose the controversial Finance Bill 2025.
Speaking on Monday, Gachagua condemned the arrest, describing it as an attempt to suppress democratic expression. “Now, more than ever, Kenyans must remain vigilant. We must speak up for our rights and each other,” he said. “I call for the immediate release of Rose Njeri and urge all Kenyans to stand together against the silencing of our voices. Our future depends on it.”
Njeri was arrested on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Nairobi’s South B estate. She had developed Civic Email, a simple online platform allowing citizens to electronically send objections to the proposed Finance Bill with a single click. In a tweet, she explained, “I wrote a simple programme that lets you reject the Finance Bill 2025 with just one click.”
Her arrest has sparked outrage among civil society groups, legal experts, and the public. On Sunday, dozens of protesters—led by prominent activists Boniface Mwangi and Hanifa Adan—staged a demonstration outside Pangani Police Station demanding her release. Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who visited Njeri in custody, said her detention was unconstitutional and violated her freedom of expression.
The Law Society of Kenya and former Chief Justice David Maraga also condemned the arrest, urging authorities to respect digital freedoms and the right to peaceful dissent.
The Finance Bill 2025 has stirred national debate due to its sweeping tax reforms. It proposes higher excise duties, new digital economy taxes, and expanded surveillance powers for the Kenya Revenue Authority. While the government says these changes aim to enhance revenue collection and simplify compliance, critics argue they infringe on privacy and could overburden citizens and small businesses.
Njeri’s arrest has now become a flashpoint in the broader national conversation about civil liberties, digital activism, and transparency in governance. Her supporters insist that civic tech should be encouraged—not punished—in a democratic society.
