Kenyan Software Developer Arrest Sparks Nationwide Outrage Amid Regional Rights Crackdown

Rose Njeri, a Kenyan software developer and mother of two, was arrested and charged with unauthorized interference with a computer system after creating a tool that enabled citizens to oppose the government's proposed 2025 finance bill, which critics say would raise the cost of living and infringe on privacy rights. Her arrest sparked widespread outrage among politicians, civil society, activists, and the public, who view it as a sign of growing repression and a crackdown on digital rights and free expression in Kenya. Despite efforts by the Law Society of Kenya and activists to secure her release on bail, authorities delayed court proceedings over a weekend and public holiday, fueling accusations of governmental intimidation and oppression. The detention echoes last year's violent protests against similar tax hikes, which resulted in at least 50 deaths and numerous abductions by security forces. Human rights organizations and regional groups condemned the arrest, warning it threatens civic engagement and digital freedom amid broader concerns about civil liberties under President William Ruto's administration. Ruto has denied ongoing abuses, asserting that those detained during past protests have been returned to their families and pledging no recurrence, but Njeri's case has renewed fears about the government's tolerance for dissent.