Rose Njeri, the web developer who was recently detained over her role in creating a website that allowed Kenyans to raise concerns about the Finance Bill 2025, has broken her silence following her release, expressing heartfelt gratitude to her supporters.
In a statement shared by activist Hanifa Farsafi on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Njeri warmly thanked all those who rallied behind her during her ordeal, describing the state’s heavy-handed actions as both shocking and unwarranted.
“I am happy that you all came out in the way you did. I would also want to express sincere gratitude to all who raised their voices regarding my illegal arrest, detention, house search, and possession of my property by the state,” she declared.
She went on to describe the overwhelming show of force, recalling that approximately fifteen officers arrived in three Subarus to pick her from her house, an intimidating display that she said was disproportionate given that no crime had been committed.
Njeri expressed her appreciation for the solidarity shown through hashtags, protests, and visits from supporters.
“With the hashtags and protests and visits to come see me, I cannot thank you enough,” she added, highlighting the powerful community response that sustained her throughout the difficult period.
2027 elections
Turning her attention to the broader political landscape, Njeri issued a passionate appeal to all Kenyan voters, irrespective of age, gender, class, or educational background.
She cautioned them to remain mindful that they too could find themselves enduring ordeals similar to hers and implored, especially the youth, to consider voting for leaders who uphold the constitution and honour judicial rulings.
“When you have a ballot paper in front of your face, I beg you to really think. And if I may offer a suggestion, do not vote for someone who does not respect our constitution; do not vote for someone who does not respect court orders or who is angry they were kicked out. Vote for someone who respects and defends the Kenyan constitution. Your decision on who you vote for is personal,” she implored.
Njeri also touched on the urgent need for electoral reform, emphasising the importance of a reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
She asserted that the government was engaging in delaying tactics by failing to promptly reconstitute the IEBC, emphasising that Kenyans must come together to demand this urgent reform, as time is swiftly running out ahead of the forthcoming elections.
“We need to really pray for a reconstituted IEBC. According to Kenyan law, elections should be done every five years of the presidency; we are now in June 2025 and we do not have a functional IEBC, so we do not have the luxury of time,” she warned.
She urged that the commission must review electoral boundaries and start preparing for the next elections without delay, noting, “You see the games being played and we cannot afford to be complacent.”
Release on bond
Njeri’s statement arrives shortly after Milimani Court, under Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo, released her on a Ksh100,000 personal bond, with a ruling on whether to formally charge her scheduled for June 20, 2025.
“Considering submissions made by both sides, I hereby release Njeri on a personal bond of Ksh100,000. The ruling on whether to charge her or not will be made on June 20, 2025,” Magistrate Onsarigo ruled.
Njeri’s legal team, led by Kibe Mungai, former Chief Justice David Maraga, Senior Counsel Kalonzo Musyoka, lawyer Eric Theuri and Ndegwa Njiru, vehemently objected to the charges the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) intended to charge her for.
They argued that the charge sheet is not valid because it does not outline any offence constitutionally, and there is no sufficient information to enable their client to take a plea in court.
“There is no sufficient information to enable our client to respond to the charges,” lawyer Theuri told the court.
Lawyer Njiru urged the court not to allow Njeri to take a plea since by doing that her rights would be violated.
Senator Daniel Maanzo, who is among the defence team, told the court that the charge violates Article 25(2)(n) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial and prohibits its limitation.
“This charge does not disclose any offence, it is vague and unconstitutional and should be struck out at the outset and our client be released forthwith,” lawyer Maanzo told the court.
However, the DPP led by prosecutor Victor Owiti insisted that the charge they want to press on Njeri is proper and valid, contrary to her legal team’s argument.
He also added that they are not opposed to Njeri being released on bail.
