Rose Njeri, a software engineer and civic tech advocate, was formally charged today at the Milimani Law Courts following her arrest last week. She was arrested on Friday, May 30 at home in Nairobi , just ahead of the Madaraka Day weekend.
A statement released by Amnesty International Kenya says she was held without access to family and her lawyers and was later transferred from Pangani Police Station to an undisclosed location by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Her personal items including her electronic devices and passwords were taken away without any legal representation.
According to her a charge sheet presented before the Milimani Law Courts today, Njeri was accused of violating Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018. Authorities claim that on May 19, she developed and used a platform (https://civicemail.netlify.app) to send mass emails to [email protected], thereby disrupting the email system of the Finance Committee.
However, the platform in question was designed to simplify public submissions to Parliament on the controversial Finance Bill 2025 a legislative proposal that has sparked widespread concern over increased taxation and lack of transparency in budget allocations.
“What began as Rose Njeri’s bold effort to simplify public engagement on the Finance Bill ended in her arrest. Her only ‘crime’? Helping Kenyans raise their voices,” said the Civic Freedoms Forum via X. “Her detention is a chilling attack on civic freedoms.”
Amnesty International also condemned the arrest as a violation of Article 49 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees the right to legal representation and to be brought to court within 24 hours of arrest. Rose Njeri has now been held for more than 84 hours, raising serious due process concerns.
“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 severely violated, and any contemplated fair trial is in jeopardy,” said Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya.
Digital rights organizations have also argued that her prosecution sets a dangerous precedent criminalizing digital tools used for civic participation, especially in moments of critical public interest like the Finance Bill. Njeri’s only offence was exercising her constitutional right to freedom of expression and enabling public participation. Her efforts were consistent with constitutional provisions according to Article 33, which guarantees freedom of expression, and Article 118, which obligates Parliament to facilitate public participation.
The case raises fears of a broader campaign to silence dissent around economic governance.
Civil rights advocates are asking for all charges against Rose Njeri to be dropped as the committee initially asked for public participation. The advocates further argue that Parliament should respect civic engagement and protect the rights of those who help citizens hold leaders accountable.