Software developer Rose Njeri, who is facing charges relating to computer misuse and cybercrime, has been released on a personal bond of Ksh100,000 pending the hearing of her case.
While releasing the activist, principal magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo at the same time picked Friday, June 20 as the date the case will be heard.
Njeri was arraigned and charged with the unauthorised interference of computer systems contrary to section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crime Act No.5 of 2018.
Her arraignment came after a three-day detention at Pangani Police Station that caused massive uproar. Njeri was arrested on Friday, May 30, following a tweet made on May 19, where she announced the creation of a website designed to facilitate public objections to the proposed Finance Bill 2025.
"I wrote a simple programme that lets you reject the Finance Bill 2025 with just one click. Click below to send your objection," her tweet stated.
After news of her arrest emerged, enraged Kenyans led calls in demanding for her unconditional release. Activists and even politicians made it a point to visit her at the Pangani Police Station over the long Madaraka Day weekend.
On Saturday, May 31, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president, Faith Odhiambo, said that the LSK team had visited Pangani Police Station and managed to see Njeri after a long process.
On Sunday, chaos broke out outside the police station as activists, led by Boniface Mwangi and Hanifa Adan, decried being prevented from seeing Njeri, with the gate being locked to prevent their entry. However, Presidential hopeful Okiya Omtatah managed to access Njeri and was even pictured talking to her.
Since Monday was a public holiday, her arraignment was set for Tuesday, leading her to spend almost 72 hours in police custody without arraignment, an act that is against the law.
More drama ensued this morning when LSK boss Odhiambo claimed that Njeri had been moved from Pangani police station without prior information from the authorities. Even so, Njeri was later arraigned before the court with a battalion of distinguished legal practitioners led by former Chief Justice David Maraga making up her defense.
Other notable figures included former Vice President and Senior Counsel Kalonzo Musyoka, Senior Counsel John Khaminwa, Senior Counsel Eugene Wamalwa, Dan Maanzo, former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Eric Theuri, Ndegwa Njiru, alongside representatives from the LSK.
Their united front highlighted the gravity of the case and pointed to the complex legal issues at stake. Outside the courthouse, dozens of Kenyans gathered, singing songs and demanding the immediate release of Njeri.
