Outrage as MP Kaluma Calls for Prosecution of Activist Rose Njeri
NAIROBI, Kenya – June 2, 2025 — Outspoken Homa Bay Township Member of Parliament (MP) Opondo Kaluma has stirred public fury after calling for the prosecution of civic activist and software developer Rose Njeri, who was arrested on Friday for creating an online platform that enabled Kenyans to object to the proposed Finance Bill 2025.
Njeri, a 35-year-old mother of two, was taken into custody on May 30, 2025, in a dramatic police raid at her residence. Her website, Objection to Finance Bill 2025, had allowed citizens to participate in the legislative process by submitting feedback on the controversial financial proposals.
The platform was hailed by civil society groups as a significant step forward in digital civic engagement. However, its impact was quickly met with backlash from state authorities. According to eyewitnesses and Njeri’s family, plainclothes officers arrived in a convoy of Subaru vehicles, stormed her home, seized her phone, laptop, and documents, and detained her without warning. She was held incommunicado for hours before being traced to Pangani Police Station in Nairobi.
On Monday, June 2, MP Kaluma publicly defended the arrest, insisting that activists like Njeri pose a threat to institutional governance. “Who is Rose Njeri? Stable democratic States are run by established institutions, not idle activists! We are a rule of law nation. Arrest and have her prosecuted,” Kaluma declared in a widely shared statement.
The remarks immediately triggered backlash from political leaders, legal professionals, and civil society. Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga condemned both the arrest and Kaluma’s statement, arguing that the government’s actions undermined constitutional rights. “Our government finds the Constitution inconvenient. I believe the government is in violation of Articles 32(1) and 33(1)(a). As a single mom, her two children are denied ‘care and protection’. Our government is telling us loud and clear that it has overthrown the constitution,” Mutunga said.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) also intervened, with its President, Faith Odhiambo, announcing that the organization had launched urgent legal efforts to locate Njeri and secure her release. “The officers who arrested Njeri deliberately obstructed her access to legal counsel, making it extremely difficult for her to be located,” Odhiambo said.
Njeri’s arrest and continued detention have ignited public protests and online campaigns demanding her release. On Sunday, June 1, a crowd of activists, lawyers, and concerned citizens gathered outside Pangani Police Station to demand accountability from law enforcement. They carried placards and chanted slogans in support of digital rights and constitutional freedoms.
The government has not issued a formal explanation for Njeri’s arrest. However, critics argue that the move reflects a broader pattern of intimidation against activists, journalists, and whistleblowers who challenge state policy.
Legal experts warn that the case could set a dangerous precedent for digital activism and public participation in Kenya. “If the government criminalizes civic engagement, particularly when it is constitutionally protected, then we are heading into authoritarian territory,” said constitutional lawyer Mercy Mwende.
The Finance Bill 2025, which Njeri’s platform addressed, has drawn sharp criticism from multiple sectors for introducing aggressive tax measures that many say will burden ordinary citizens. Public participation is a constitutional requirement for such legislation, and Njeri’s website was viewed by many as a helpful tool to facilitate that process.
As of June 2, Rose Njeri remains in custody, and her legal team is working to file a habeas corpus petition. Civil society organizations plan to escalate demonstrations if she is not released soon.
The incident has drawn international attention, with digital rights groups abroad calling for an independent investigation into the arrest and the protection of online freedoms in Kenya.
With mounting pressure from both domestic and international actors, the government now faces tough questions about its commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law.
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Outrage as MP Kaluma Calls for Prosecution of Activist Rose Njeri