Amnesty demands release of detained software developer Rose Njeri
Njeri created an online tool to help Kenyans oppose the proposed Finance Bill, 2025.
Amnesty International Kenya has condemned the arrest and continued detention of software developer and civic activist Rose Njeri, who was taken into custody on Friday, May 30, over an online tool she created to help Kenyans oppose the proposed Finance Bill, 2025.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Amnesty said Njeri was arrested without legal representation and forced to surrender her electronic devices and passwords.
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The organisation further revealed that she was later moved from Pangani Police Station to an undisclosed location by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations without any notification to her family or lawyers.
“Amnesty International Kenya is shocked to learn that Rose Njeri was transferred from Pangani Police Station to an unknown destination by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations without any communication to her family or her lawyers yesterday,” said Irungu Houghton, the Amnesty International Kenya Section Director.
Despite the intervention of her lawyers and the Law Society of Kenya, Amnesty said Njeri has been denied bail and held without explanation for more than 88 hours.
Her legal team has not been informed of any charges against her, and all attempts to get clarity from investigating officers have failed.
“Despite legal representation from her advocates and the Law Society of Kenya, she was denied bail without giving reasons to her advocates, an entitlement as an arrested person,” the statement read.
According to Amnesty, Njeri suffers from a medical condition and her prolonged detention without access to medical care, legal representation, or clear charges is a violation of her constitutional rights under Articles 49 and 50 of the Constitution of Kenya.
“These rights are designed to ensure fairness, prevent abuse of power, and uphold human dignity. It is clear to us that Rose Njeri’s rights have been severally violated, and any contemplated fair trial is in jeopardy,” Houghton added.
Her arrest has drawn sharp criticism from civil society and political leaders.
Njeri’s continued detention has sparked public outrage, with calls growing louder for her unconditional release.
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