FIDA-Kenya demands charges against Rose Njeri be dropped
In a statement on Tuesday, FIDA-Kenya said Njeri was injured during her arrest, denied access to a lawyer and medication, and forced to hand over her phone, laptop and passwords.
The Federation of Women Lawyers in Kenya has demanded the government drop all charges against software developer Rose Njeri, accusing the police of violating her constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, participation in public affairs, and due process.
In a statement on Tuesday, FIDA-Kenya said Njeri was injured during her arrest, denied access to a lawyer and medication, and forced to hand over her phone, laptop and passwords.
The group also raised alarm that she was arrested on May 30 without a warrant and held incommunicado throughout the long weekend.
"Disturbingly, her whereabouts remained unknown to her family and legal representatives over the long weekend," FIDA-Kenya Chairperson Christine Kungu said in the statement.
The organisation said Njeri’s arrest and detention were unlawful and condemned the manner in which the police handled her case, including denying her medical attention and legal support.
On Tuesday, Njeri was charged under Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018.
FIDA-Kenya said the actions of the police violated several provisions of the Constitution, including Article 47 on fair administrative action, Article 48 on access to justice, Article 49 on the rights of arrested persons, and Article 50 on the right to a fair trial.
"The way the Police handled Njeri falls far below the standards expected of a democratic state that upholds the rule of law and the dignity of its people, particularly women who continue to face systemic vulnerabilities when interacting with law enforcement agencies," said Kungu.
The federation urged the authorities to respect the rights of citizens to engage in governance without fear of arrest, harassment, or intimidation.
It further called for law enforcement officers to be held accountable for violating constitutional limits and infringing on civil liberties.
"We stand in solidarity with Njeri and all those who seek to advance justice, accountability, and the rule of law in Kenya," the federation said.
