Kenyan software developer and human rights activist Rose Njeri has spent the Madaraka Day weekend in police custody after creating a digital platform aimed at mobilizing public opposition to the controversial Finance Bill 2025.
Njeri, the creator of “Civic Email” an online tool that enables citizens to directly email Members of Parliament in protest of the Bill was arrested on Friday afternoon in South B and taken to Pangani Police Station. She has remained in custody without bail or formal charges, sparking national outrage among rights groups, legal professionals, and the broader public.
Police claim that Njeri’s tool has the potential to incite unrest ahead of the reading and passage of the Finance Bill. Their concerns stem from last year’s widespread protests against the Bill, which tragically resulted in the deaths of over 60 people, with many more injured or missing following clashes with security forces.
The timing of her detention—coinciding with Madaraka Day, a celebration of Kenya’s internal self-governance—has only intensified public criticism. Former Chief Justice David Maraga condemned the arrest, describing it as a betrayal of the very ideals Madaraka Day represents.
“Madaraka Day is about the freedom to run our country,” Maraga said. “Rose Njeri is the latest to be abducted for innovating an accessible system for citizens to express their views. This completely negates the spirit of Madaraka.”
Maraga further pledged solidarity with the youth-led “Gen-Z Revolution,” a growing movement demanding accountability, transparency, and democratic reforms in Kenya.
Veteran lawyer John Khaminwa also weighed in, revealing he had appealed to the officer in charge at Pangani Police Station for Njeri’s release on bail, only to be told the matter was beyond the officer’s control.
The incident has galvanized activists across the country, with many viewing Njeri’s arrest as a stark warning against digital dissent. Human rights organizations are now demanding her immediate release and calling for greater protection of civil liberties in Kenya’s digital age.
As public pressure mounts, Rose Njeri’s case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle for democratic expression and technological innovation in the face of state repression.
