Muturi slams govt over Rose Njeri’s continued detention
The former Public Service Cabinet Secretary, Justin Muturi, has added his voice to the growing number of leaders criticising the government over the arrest and detention of software developer Rose Njeri.
In a statement released on his X account on Monday, June 2, the former CS expressed deep concern over what he termed an unlawful detention.
According to Muturi, Rose Njeri’s only offence was exercising her constitutional right to freedom of expression and facilitating public participation through digital platforms.
”I am deeply concerned by the unlawful detention of Rose Njeri, a software developer and civic activist, whose only ‘offence’ was exercising her constitutional right to freedom of expression and facilitating public participation through a digital platform.” Muturi said.
He noted that her efforts were in line with the Constitution, citing Article 33, which guarantees every Kenyan the right to express themselves and associate freely.
He also referred to Article 118, which places a duty on Parliament to promote public participation.
“Article 33 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to freedom of expression, while Article 118 obligates Parliament to facilitate public participation and involvement in legislative processes. Ms Njeri’s initiative, developing a website to allow Kenyans to voice their views on the Finance Bill 2025, was a direct contribution to these constitutional principles.” He added
Muturi emphasised that Njeri’s development of a website to allow Kenyans to submit their views on the upcoming Finance Bill was not a criminal act but rather a direct contribution to the democratic process and constitutional values.
He warned that arresting a citizen for promoting public engagement through technology sets a dangerous precedent against civic innovation and constitutionalism.
”Detaining her for promoting public engagement is not only unlawful but also a dangerous precedent against civic innovation and constitutionalism. We stand in solidarity with Njeri and call for her immediate release and for the protection of all Kenyans who use technology to promote transparency, accountability, and public participation.” He concluded.
Muturi concluded by standing in solidarity with Rose Njeri and demanding her immediate release.
Rose Njeri’s case
Rose Njeri, a 35-year-old Kenyan software developer, was arrested on May 30, 2025, in Nairobi for creating a website called Civic Email, which allowed citizens to submit objections to the Finance Bill 2025 with one click.
The platform was designed to facilitate public participation in opposing the bill, which has sparked concerns over proposed tax increases, potential privacy violations, and the removal of tax incentives for affordable housing.
Njeri was detained at Pangani Police Station following a raid on her South B home, where police confiscated her phone, laptop, and hard drives.
According to activists and her family, she was forcibly taken by 15 Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers, and her house was ransacked.
She was initially denied access to legal counsel, and efforts to secure her bail have so far been unsuccessful.
No formal charges had been disclosed as of June 2, 2025. She is expected to be arraigned in court on June 4, 2025.
The arrest has triggered widespread outrage, with activists and leaders like Rigathi Gachagua and Willy Mutunga and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) condemning the move as an attack on free speech and digital activism.
