Court Frees Software Developer Rose Njeri, Classifies Charges as Ambiguous & Baseless
Software developer and activist Rose Njeri has been freed by a Nairobi court after Milimani Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo ruled that charges filed against her were defective, ambiguous, and lacked legal basis.
Njeri had been accused of unauthorised interference with computer systems, a charge brought under Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act No. 5 of 2018. The charges stemmed from her creation of an online platform that allowed Kenyans to submit objections to the 2025 Finance Bill.
“The charge sheet was ambiguous and does not disclose any offence,” Magistrate Onsarigo said, dismissing the case on grounds of insufficient legal standing. The court also reinforced the constitutional right of all Kenyans to participate in public decision-making processes, indirectly acknowledging Njeri’s website as a legitimate civic engagement tool.
Njeri’s arrest on Friday, May 30, triggered public outrage. She had tweeted, “I wrote a simple programme that lets you reject the Finance Bill 2025 with just one click.” Her detention at Pangani Police Station over the Madaraka Day weekend provoked protests and attempts by activists and legal representatives to secure her release.
Activists Hanifa Adan and Boniface Mwangi were among those blocked from accessing her during her detention. The standoff at Pangani Police Station saw its gates locked to prevent supporters from entering.
On June 3, Njeri was released on a Ksh100,000 personal bond and the hearing date was set for June 20.
In court, Njeri was defended by a heavyweight legal team including former Chief Justice David Maraga, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and several Senior Counsels—John Khaminwa, Eugene Wamalwa, Dan Maanzo, and Eric Theuri. Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru and representatives from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) were also present, underscoring the case’s national significance.
Outside Milimani Law Courts, scores of Kenyans gathered in solidarity, chanting and singing for her release. With today’s ruling, many hailed it as a win for digital rights, civic freedoms, and the growing role of technology in activism.
The case has amplified the national conversation about citizen engagement in governance and the use of technology in challenging legislation. Legal experts have since warned the government against using outdated laws to stifle freedom of expression and civic participation in the digital age.
Njeri, speaking after her release, thanked her supporters and legal team, saying, “We are just getting started. This country belongs to us, and we will continue to speak up.”
Her statement has already gone viral, becoming a rallying cry for a new wave of Gen Z-led activism.
In other news:University of Nairobi Drops Out of Top 1,000 in Global QS Rankings
Court Frees Software Developer Rose Njeri, Classifies Charges as Ambiguous & Baseless