A Kenyan software developer who was arrested last week after creating a tool for people to express their opposition to a proposed law has been arraigned in court and released on bail, amid public anger at her detention and growing signs of repression in the east African country and its neighbours.
Rose Njeri was charged on Tuesday with “unauthorised interference with a computer system” in violation of the country’s computer misuse and cybercrime law.
Prosecutors said on the charge sheet that her tool enabled users to automatically send emails to the national assembly’s finance committee, “thereby interfering with the normal functioning of the systems”.
man published a post on X on 19 May announcing her new tool. “I wrote a simple program that lets you reject the Finance Bill 2025 with just one click. Click below to send your objection,” she said. She was arrested at her home in Nairobi on Friday, and police confiscated her electronic devices.
Her arrest sparked outrage in the country, with politicians, civil society members and Kenyans at large condemning it and calling for her release.
Activists and family members protested outside the police station where she was being held on Sunday. “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,” activist Boniface Mwangi said.
The executive director of Amnesty International Kenya, Irũngũ Houghton, said in a statement on Tuesday: “It is clear to us that Rose Njeri’s rights have been severally violated, and any contemplated fair trial is in jeopardy.”
Njeri’s tool related to a finance bill that proposes a wide range of tax changes to increase government revenue. Experts say it may increase tax burdens and reduce Kenyans’ disposable income.
A similar proposed law last year caused unprecedented protests that led to the killing of dozens of protesters and the disappearance and abduction of many more. Demonstrations reduced over time, but killings and disappearances continued with the target tending to shift towards online critics.
Njeri’s arrest is in line with what observers say is a wave of repression by east African governments cracking down on dissent.
The former Kenyan chief justice Willy Mutunga and activists Hanifa Adan and Hussein Khalid were deported from Tanzania two weeks ago. They had travelled to the country to attend a hearing in a treason case against the opposition politician Socket Lissu.
Two other people who had also gone for the case – Mwangi and the Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire – said on Monday that Tanzanian security officers had sexually assaulted them.
The Police Reforms Working Group, a coalition of Kenyan rights organisations, called on the east African and international community to put pressure on the Tanzanian government to hold the officers “responsible for the torture … and sexual assault committed against Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire” accountable.
The group spoke alongside the Law Society of Kenya at a press conference in Nairobi.
“Torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are serious crimes under multiple treaties and international law,” they said.
In Ugandawhere the opposition politician Kizza Besigye has been in jail for six months over alleged treason charges, lawmakers passed a bill last month to allow civilians to be tried in military court.
Kenya’s Tech Crackdown: Is Dissent Being Silenced Online? A conversation with Cyber-Rights Expert, Dr. Evelyn Reed
Keywords: Kenya, digital rights, censorship, finance bill, cybercrime, online activism, East Africa, government repression, freedom of speech.
Time.news: Welcome,dr.Reed. We’re deeply concerned about the recent arrest of Kenyan software developer Rose Njeri, who created a tool for citizens to voice opposition to the proposed Finance Bill 2025. Can you tell us what’s at stake here?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: thank you for having me. The arrest of Rose Njeri is extremely troubling and represents a significant escalation in the suppression of digital activism. It raises serious questions about the right to public participation and freedom of expression in Kenya, especially when it comes to government policy.
Time.news: The article mentions she was charged with “unauthorised interference with a computer system.” Does providing a platform for mass emails really constitute a cybercrime?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: That’s the crux of the issue. The charge seems to be a gross misapplication of Kenya’s computer misuse and cybercrime law.Njeri’s tool, from what we understand, simply automated the process of sending pre-written emails to designated recipients, the very finance committee of the national assembly. This falls under the protection of free speech and the right to petition the government. There is no evidence to suggest she hacked into any system, altered data, or caused any real damage. The authorities are seemingly claiming that the volume of emails interfered with the “normal functioning of the systems” and it´s a slippery slope.
Time.news: The arrest has sparked widespread condemnation, with activists and even politicians speaking out. What makes this case particularly resonant?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: several factors are at play. Firstly, there’s public discontent surrounding the proposed Finance Bill 2025 itself.Many Kenyans are worried about increasing tax burdens and reduced disposable income. Njeri’s tool provided a readily accessible avenue for them to express their concerns directly. Secondly, the precedent of the Finance Bill 2024, which led to deadly protests and disappearances, casts a long shadow. This arrest feels like a purposeful attempt to preempt any similar unrest by targeting online dissent before it can translate into real-world action.
Time.news: Why is this happening now and why East Africa specifically?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: The trends in East Africa point to a growing wave of repression. Governments are increasingly fearful of online mobilization and critical voices. The internet,once hailed as a tool for democratization,is now viewed by some regimes as a threat to stability. Crackdowns on online critics, internet shutdowns during elections, and restrictive cyber laws are becoming alarmingly common across the region, stifling participation in democracy and potentially causing violations of universal human rights. We see in this article,the deportation of activists in Tanzania and the passing of bills as in the case of Uganda,exemplify this worrying trend.
Time.news: What are the potential consequences of this increasing censorship?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: The consequences are far-reaching. It chills free expression, making people afraid to speak out online.It creates an environment of self-censorship, stifling public debate and holding power to account. in the long term,it can undermine democratic institutions and fuel social unrest. It makes citizens more vulnerable to rights abuses, because avenues traditionally use to help keep power in check are lost or at least limited.
Time.news: The article also mentions Amnesty International highlighting violations of Rose Njeri’s rights. What recourse does she have?
Dr. Evelyn reed: Rose Njeri has legal rights that she must invoke,including the right to legal representation,a fair trial,and protection from arbitrary detention. Advocacy groups inside and outside Kenya, like Amnesty International, are key for spotlighting this case and pressuring the government to uphold its human rights obligations. International pressure, from organizations like the United Nations and the African Union, can also play a significant role.
Time.news: As for our readers, many of whom may be worried about expressing their views online in similar situations, do you have any advice?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: My advice would be multifaceted. First, know your rights. Understand the laws in your country and how they may impact your online activity. Second, use privacy-enhancing tools like VPNs and encrypted messaging apps to protect your communications. Third, collaborate with digital rights organizations and legal professionals who can provide support and counsel if your rights are violated.speak out! Remaining silent only emboldens those who seek to suppress dissent. Collective action and international solidarity are crucial to protect digital freedom and hold governments accountable.
