Njeri, who was arrested last Friday, developed a tool hosted at civic-email.vercel.app that allowed Kenyans to automatically send their concerns to Parliament’s Finance Committee. Authorities allege the tool overwhelmed official email systems and interfered with parliamentary operations.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the platform “knowingly generated and sent mass emails” to the Finance Committee’s email address, disrupting its normal functioning. She is also accused of targeting the Clerk of the National Assembly in a similar fashion.
The arrest has sparked a storm on social media, with #FreeRoseNjeri trending nationwide. Civil society groups and digital rights advocates are calling the charges an attack on free expression and digital activism.
On Tuesday morning, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) raised alarm over Njeri’s sudden transfer from Pangani Police Station before 7:30 a.m. without notice. LSK President Faith Odhiambo and activists said the move appeared to be a tactic to block access to legal representation.
Later, protesters gathered outside Milimani Law Courts, demanding transparency and her immediate release. Human rights watchdog Amnesty Kenya condemned the handling of the case, saying Njeri’s rights had been “severely violated” during her 88-hour detention.
“This is not just about one woman. It’s about the shrinking space for civic tech and public participation in governance,” a protester said outside the courthouse.
Njeri was finally presented in court Tuesday afternoon. Her supporters say the charges send a chilling message to developers and activists using technology to promote transparency and citizen engagement.
Her legal team is pushing for her unconditional release, arguing that building a platform for public participation should not be criminalized.
The case has quickly become a flashpoint in the national debate over digital freedoms and public accountability and it’s far from over.
