Web developer and activist Rose Njeri has vowed to remain steadfast in her fight against the Finance Bill 2025, despite her recent arrest and detention. Speaking publicly for the first time after her release, Njeri termed her arrest unlawful and aimed at silencing dissent.
“I am just an ordinary Kenyan, trying to hustle, and they came for me that way. I cannot back down,” she said in a media interview, firmly rejecting any claims of wrongdoing.
Njeri was arrested over her alleged role in creating a civic website and email system that enabled Kenyans to voice their opposition to the controversial Finance Bill 2025. According to the charge sheet, she is accused of violating Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act by allegedly interfering with Parliament’s email systems through the mass generation of emails directed to the Finance Committee.
Her legal team, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and DAP Leader Eugene Wamalwa, termed the charges defective and unconstitutional. Kalonzo questioned the legitimacy of the case, arguing that citizen participation through emails was a civic duty, not a criminal offence.
“If a crime is sensitising fellow Kenyans to say yes or no to the proposed finance bill, what crime is that?” Kalonzo posed, asserting that the Finance Committee’s email address was established to receive public feedback.
Njeri also highlighted glaring errors in the charge sheet, including being misidentified as male. “They had no charges against me while I was at the station. That was an illegal detention,” she claimed.
However, lead prosecutor Victor Owiti maintained that the charges were valid and should be determined through the trial process. He insisted that the prosecution had met the legal threshold for proceeding with the case.
Milimani Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo released Njeri on a personal bond of Sh100,000 and scheduled June 20, 2025, as the date for a ruling on whether she will be required to take a plea.
Despite the legal battle ahead, Njeri remains resolute. “They are infringing on my rights, but I will not be intimidated,” she affirmed.
