Kenyan software developer Rose Njeri has earned global recognition after being featured in the 2025 TIME100 Next list, which celebrates emerging leaders and changemakers shaping the future. Njeri, 35, appears under the Advocates category, spotlighted for her pivotal role in Kenya’s civic tech movement.
Her journey to international acclaim began in June 2025, when she developed a digital platform designed to collect public feedback on the controversial Finance Bill. The tool quickly went viral after she announced it on X (formerly Twitter), drawing massive citizen engagement but also attracting government scrutiny.
Authorities accused Njeri of violating Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, alleging that her platform interfered with parliamentary email systems. She was arrested and later released after the courts dismissed the charges, ruling that the case lacked the necessary legal threshold.
The episode placed Njeri at the center of a wider debate on digital rights, civic technology, and government accountability. Civil society organizations rallied behind her, arguing that the case highlighted an increasing crackdown on online activism in Kenya.
TIME noted that Njeri has since embraced her role as a voice for change, quoting her as saying:
“Authorities want to ignore us like we are not part of the process as citizens. We shouldn’t just sit back and watch.”
Upon learning of her inclusion in the TIME100 Next list, Njeri expressed her gratitude on X, dedicating the honor to supporters who stood by her during the ordeal:
“This recognition is not just mine but belongs to everyone who has walked this journey with me, challenged me, and inspired me to keep going.”
The TIME100 Next list celebrates 100 rising stars across business, politics, science, sports, health, and activism. By spotlighting leaders like Njeri, the list underscores how technology and advocacy can merge to empower citizens and reshape the future.
