Rose Njeri, a woman from Kenya, was arrested on Saturday because she started a website asking people to oppose the Finance Bill 2025, which is very controversial. She is being held at Pangani Police Station in Nairobi.
Human rights activists were outside the police station asking for Rose Njeri to be released. Also, the family members of Rose Njeri, led by her aunt Evah Waithera, cousin Derrick Kamweru and lawyer Sama, are at Pangani police station.
They are led by Boniface Mwangi and Hussein Khalid. They visited Rose and said, “Rose told us that officers arrested her and searched her house, making a mess. They took her phone, laptop, and hard drives.”
“The police at Pangani say they cannot release her because DCI officers arrested her, and only those officers can let her go.”
“Rose is staying strong but is worried about her two children, who don’t know where she is. It’s heartbreaking to think she has to explain to them that she is in jail for making a website that helps people share their ideas about the 2025 budget. We need to put an end to how unfair and wrong this is.”
Human rights activists at pangani police station demanding the release of Rose Njeri who is still detained at the station.
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) June 1, 2025
Video: Benard Orwongo. pic.twitter.com/KbkdEbPuYh
“Rose thanks everyone for their support and the many people fighting for her freedom. If you want to help, you can text the DCI director, Mohamed Amin, at 0722 415 419, and ask for her immediate release.”
“We hope there will be a court hearing tomorrow, even though it’s a public holiday, so she can see a magistrate. It is wrong for an innocent person to spend nights in police cells.”
“The police officers who put her in jail without good reason should also be held accountable. We can’t let them misuse their power and hurt innocent people. They acted illegally, and they must face the consequences.”
Okiya Omtatah also visited Rose, saying, “After attending morning Mass at the Holy Family Minor Basilica in Nairobi, I chose to honor Madaraka Day not by celebrating but by standing up for what is right.
“I went to Pangani Police Station to support Ms. Rose Njeri, who is being wrongly detained for the ‘crime’ of creating a website that helps people participate in the government process by commenting on the Finance Bill 2025.”
“Ms. Njeri is in good spirits and is proud of standing up for the truth, defending the Constitution.”
“Talking to her, I did not see a victim looking for pity, but a strong fighter. She is prepared for a long battle to help Kenyans.”
“She is determined and ready to stand up against the people oppressing our country.”
VIDEO from the arrest of @rtunguru this past Friday. She is still being held at Pangani police station with no clear indication as to if/when she will be released. pic.twitter.com/vSF1qnUccC
— John-Allan Namu (@johnallannamu) June 1, 2025
The police say Rose’s website encouraged people to reject the proposed bill, which has caused a lot of debate about its economic effects. Her arrest has raised worries about freedom of expression, and activists are calling for her to be released immediately.