Rose Njeri moved to unknown location ahead of court appearance, LSK says

A group of activists singing in solidarity at Milimani Law Courts, calling for release of Rose Njeri.[Nancy Gitonga, Standard]

Rights groups have raised concerns about the whereabouts of activist Rose Njeri, who was detained at Pangani police station.

Njeri, who spent the weekend at the station, was supposed to be arraigned in court on Tuesday.

 Amnesty International has demanded the immediate release of Njeri, asking for her whereabouts.

“Amnesty International Kenya is shocked to learn that Rose Njeri was transferred from Pangani Police Station to an unknown destination by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations without any communication to her family or her lawyers yesterday,” stated Irungu Houghton, Amnesty International Director.

 Njeri, a software engineer and coder, was arrested on May 30, accused of creating a web application that would enable Kenyans to reject a few clauses in the 2025 Finance Bill that is to be tabled in the National Assembly this month.

Amnesty noted that Njeri was coerced at the station into handing over her electronic gadgets with a password without legal representation.

She was also denied bail without any reason, as she had to spend over 80 hours at the station.

The rights group noted that Njeri has the right to be released on bond or bail on reasonable conditions and a prompt court appearance not later than 24 hours after arrest. 

“It is clear to us that Rose Njeri's rights have been severely violated, and any contemplated fair trial is in jeopardy,” Houghton added. 

The Law Society of Kenya President, Faith Odhiambo, has also raised concerns over Njeri’s whereabouts after learning of her absence at Pangani station.

“We ask our LSK members to be vigilant today. We are trying to find out which court she will be presented in, as she (Rose Njeri) was moved from Pangani police station early this morning,” Odhiambo said.

The Defenders Coalition has noted, “Njeri is yet to be presented in court. Her unknown whereabouts raise serious concerns about the conduct of the Police. There appears to be a pattern suggestive of forum shopping by the authorities because of the apparent lack of substantive evidence to sustain a lawful prosecution”.

The coalition noted that such actions reflect a sustained trend of the State employing its machinery to suppress dissenting voices that are lawfully advocating for democratic reforms and a just, equitable society.

A section of opposition leaders, including Wipeer party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, have urged the government to produce the activist in court or just free her.

Meanwhile, a group of activists are singing solidarity songs at Milimani Law Courts, calling for the release of Njeri in court.