Rose Njeri: Woman Arrested after Creating Anti-Finance Bill 2025 Website
- Software developer Rose Njeri was arrested after creating a website allowing Kenyans to reject the Finance Bill 2025 with one click, sparking widespread attention
- The Law Society of Kenya mobilised a team of lawyers to track down Njeri’s whereabouts and actively work toward securing her release from custody
- Despite persistent efforts by LSK advocates, attempts to secure Njeri’s bail have been unsuccessful, though they remain committed to securing her release
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Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
Rose Njeri, a software developer, created a website to give Kenyans a voice on the Finance Bill 2025, unaware that her initiative would soon put her in the crosshairs of the authorities.
Source: Twitter
The 35-year-old was arrested on Friday afternoon, May 30, and is currently being held at Pangani Police Station.
Her arrest came just a day after she posted a tweet on her X account, informing Kenyans about a website she had developed.
The site allowed users to reject the Finance Bill 2025 with a simple click, sparking significant attention before it led to her detention.
"Hi #KOT #KenyansOnTwitter, I wrote a simple program that lets you reject the Finance Bill 2025 with just one click. Click below to send your objection: https://civicemail.netlify.app #RejectFinanceBill2025," Njeri said.
In response to calls for her release, Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo said they were able to meet with Njeri after a lengthy process.
"The @LawSocietyofKe received numerous distress calls from concerned citizens who witnessed the unlawful arrest of Ms. Rose Njeri yesterday afternoon. We promptly set up a team of advocates to locate her whereabouts and secure her release. However, the officers of the @DCI_Kenya who picked her up went to great lengths to deny her access to legal counsel. At around 8 pm, after extensive efforts to find out where she was being held, we received information that she was being held at Pangani Police Station," Odhiambo said.
Odhiambo added that despite extensive and persistent efforts by herself and a dedicated team of advocates from the LSK, their attempts to secure Njeri’s release on bail were ultimately unsuccessful.
She expressed disappointment over the decision but vowed to continue pursuing legal avenues to ensure Njeri’s rights are protected.
"All efforts to secure her release on police bail have so far been frustrated by the officers in charge, who are yet to cede to requests by counsel to release her. Our team kept vigil at the police station late into the night, and I spoke with @rtunguru, who updated me on what transpired," she said.
"As things stand, we are still on the matter and hope to have Rose released and back home with her family. We ask all members of the public to remain vigilant but calm, and we will provide timely and detailed updates as soon as we make positive progress towards securing her release."
Have Kenyans opposed Finance Bill 2025
Njeri’s arrest comes amid resistance from various Kenyans to several measures proposed in the Finance Bill 2025.
Citizens have raised alarms over potential privacy violations, increased taxes on essential items, and the removal of tax incentives for affordable housing.
Source: Twitter
A key point of dispute is the plan to shift basic goods from a zero-rated VAT status to the standard VAT rate.
The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and other stakeholders have cautioned that this change, if enacted, would drive up the cost of living starting July 1, 2025.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
