Rose Njeri’s arrest sparks outrage over digital freedoms and police abuse in Kenya
Njeri's detention has triggered a storm of online outrage and drawn support from rights defenders who accuse the government of targeting civic tech initiatives aimed at promoting transparency.
Activists say software developer Rose Njeri was roughed up and detained for 72 hours by police, sparking a national outcry over police brutality and growing concerns about the crackdown on digital freedoms in Kenya.
Speaking after visiting her, activist Boniface Mwangi said Njeri was allegedly arrested by 15 officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who stormed her house, conducted an aggressive search, and confiscated her electronic devices.
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“We visited Rose Njeri, and she told us how 15 DCI officers arrested her. They ransacked and turned her house upside down, confiscating her phone, laptop and hard drives in the process,” Mwangi said.
He described Njeri as being “in high spirits,” but said she remained deeply anxious about her two children, who are unaware of her detention.
“Imagine having to tell her children that she’s in jail for developing a website that eases public participation for Kenyans who want to submit their proposals on the 2025 budget,” Mwangi said.
“Ruto’s madness and lawlessness must come to an end.”
2025 Finance Bill
Njeri was arrested on Friday after she shared on X a link to a site she developed, which allowed Kenyans to engage with and submit comments on the proposed 2025 Finance Bill.
Her detention has triggered a storm of online outrage and drawn support from rights defenders who accuse the government of targeting civic tech initiatives aimed at promoting transparency.
Dozens of supporters, including Mwangi, gathered outside Pangani Police Station on Sunday, where Njeri is being held, demanding her immediate release. Despite multiple attempts by her legal team to secure police bail, authorities have refused to release her.
“All efforts to secure her release on police bail have so far been frustrated by the officers in charge who are yet to cede to requests by counsel to release her,” Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo said on X.
Rose Njeri, who was reportedly arrested for creating a website where Kenyans can give their views regarding the Finance Bill, 2025. (Photo: Courtesy)
Officers at Pangani Police Station have reportedly told lawyers and supporters that they do not have the authority to release her, saying only the DCI can issue such orders.
“The police claim they don’t have the power to release her because she was arrested by DCI officers, and only they can order her release,” Mwangi said.
Njeri’s supporters have urged the public to take action by texting DCI Director Mohamed Amin and demanding her release.
“Njeri appreciates your solidarity, and the many people who are fighting for her freedom,” Mwangi added, while sharing Mohamed’s contacts.
Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid described the arrest as “a blatant attack on digital rights, freedom of expression and civic engagement,” echoing fears that civic tech initiatives are being increasingly criminalised.
Duty court
Activists are now hoping that a duty court will be operational on Monday, even though it is a public holiday, so that Njeri can be presented before a magistrate.
“An innocent person spending several nights in police cells is a blatant violation of her rights,” Mwangi said, adding that “the investigating officers whose names appear on that charge sheet should also be exposed for arresting and detaining her unlawfully.”
“We can’t allow the police to abuse their powers by harassing innocent people. They acted illegally by arresting her and must be held accountable.”
President William Ruto’s administration has come under increasing scrutiny from rights organisations and civil society groups over what they see as a pattern of intimidation and unlawful detention of critics.
Following mass protests last year against tax hikes and corruption, human rights groups accused security forces of killing at least 60 people and abducting dozens of others. Ruto later claimed that all abducted persons had been “returned to their families.”
Njeri’s continued detention has become a rallying point for digital rights activists who insist her arrest represents a dangerous precedent.
The online campaign under the hashtag #FreeRoseNjeri has gained momentum, with civil society calling for immediate accountability and her unconditional release.
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