The arrest of Rose Njeri in Kenya has triggered an outpouring of outrage, with accusations of police brutality and attacks on digital freedoms. Activists allege she was detained for 72 hours by DCI officers after sharing a website link on social media. Her ongoing detention has drawn public protests and advocacy for accountability as concerns grow over civic tech suppression.
The arrest of Rose Njeri, a software developer in Kenya, has ignited significant backlash across social media, with many accusing the government of suppressing digital freedoms. Rights advocates say that Njeri was taken into custody and held for 72 hours after police officers allegedly invaded her home, searching aggressively and seizing her electronic devices. This incident has brought renewed attention to police brutality in the country and raised alarms regarding the ongoing clampdown on civic tech initiatives designed for transparency.
Activist Boniface Mwangi, who visited Njeri post-arrest, shared details of the incident. He noted that she was confronted by a group of 15 officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) who “ransacked and turned her house upside down.” Njeri has expressed worry about her two children, who are unaware of the circumstances surrounding her detention. Mwangi further highlighted the absurdity of Njeri facing serious consequences for creating a website intended to assist Kenyans in engaging with the upcoming 2025 Finance Bill.
Njeri’s legal troubles began when she shared a link to her website on X, which enabled citizens to provide feedback on the proposed 2025 Finance Bill. This has prompted an uproar among supporters who rallied outside the Pangani Police Station where she remains detained. Despite multiple attempts by her legal representatives to secure her bail, police have turned them down, leading to increased frustration among her advocates.
Faith Odhiambo, the president of the Law Society of Kenya, expressed growing concern over the situation on X, stating, “All efforts to secure her release on police bail have so far been frustrated by the officers in charge.” She noted that the police at Pangani have claimed they lack the authority to release her, indicating that only DCI can make such decisions.
Meanwhile, Njeri’s advocates, including Mwangi, have been rallying support, encouraging the public to reach out to DCI Director Mohamed Amin to demand her release. Njeri’s arrest has been labeled a direct assault on digital rights, with Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid stating that it represents a chilling effect on freedom of expression and civic participation.
Activists are hopeful that a duty court will be available on Monday, despite it being a public holiday, allowing Njeri to be presented before a magistrate. Mwangi emphasized the fundamental violation of rights that occurs when an individual spends nights in police detention without cause. He called for accountability and urged the police to stop abusing their powers.
The Ruto administration has faced growing scrutiny from various human rights organizations, marking a troubling pattern of unlawful detentions and threats made against critics. Recently, protests regarding taxes and systemic corruption led to brutal crackdowns by security forces, raising red flags for civil society groups.
Njeri’s case has become emblematic for digital rights advocates, who are asserting that her detention sets a dangerous precedent, which they believe could stifle freedom of expression further. The hashtag FreeRoseNjeri has been trending, urging for accountability and her release from custody soon.
The detention of Rose Njeri has sparked widespread outrage, highlighting significant concerns about police abuse and the suppression of digital freedoms in Kenya. With strong public support and calls for accountability, activists are rallying for her immediate release as her arrest signifies a troubling trend in the government’s treatment of civic tech efforts. This situation has invoked fears of further crackdowns and emphasizes the necessity for protection of digital rights in the country.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
