Kenya Condemns Detention of Software Developer Over Finance Bill Tool
NAIROBI — Outrage erupted across Kenya after the detention of software developer Rose Njeri, who created an online platform enabling citizens to scrutinize and respond to the government’s 2025 finance bill. Njeri, a mother of two, was arrested on Friday following a police raid on her Nairobi home, where authorities seized her electronic devices. Activists say her detention comes amid fears the tool could mobilize public opposition to proposed tax changes, which critics argue could raise the cost of living. Police and government officials have not publicly commented on her arrest.
The controversy follows a history of protests against fiscal measures, including last year’s demonstrations over proposed tax hikes that left at least 50 people dead and dozens abducted in security crackdowns. Njeri’s tool highlighted clauses that could increase consumer prices and allowed users to email parliament with objections. It also raised concerns about proposed amendments allowing the tax authority to access personal data without court approval. Activists and civil society leaders, including Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo, denounced the detention as a recurrence of dictatorship and criticized delays in her court hearing due to a public holiday.
Reactions have been swift, with demonstrators gathering outside Nairobi police stations demanding Njeri’s release. Prominent activist Boniface Mwangi described her situation as particularly distressing, noting her concern for her children. Legal experts and advocacy groups have warned that the arrest could stifle digital tools designed to enhance civic engagement, while raising broader questions about privacy and citizen participation in government decision-making. As parliament prepares to debate the finance bill, public scrutiny and calls for transparency are likely to intensify, keeping Njeri’s case at the center of national debate