Anger Mounts as Activists Plan to Storm Pangani Police Station Over Rose Njeri’s Detention

Nairobi, Kenya – June 1, 2025 – Tensions are escalating in Nairobi as activists, led by prominent activist Boniface Mwangi, prepare to storm Pangani Police Station at 10:00 a.m. today, demanding the immediate release of Rose Njeri.

Njeri, a vocal critic of the proposed Finance Bill 2025, was arrested for allegedly facilitating formal objections to the bill through a website she created, a move that has sparked outrage among her supporters and the legal community.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) president Faith Odhiambo has condemned the police for their handling of Njeri’s detention, revealing that the woman was arrested on Friday afternoon by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers.

According to Odhiambo, the arrest prompted numerous distress calls to the LSK from members of the public who witnessed the incident.

“The officers who picked her up went through great lengths to deny her access to legal counsel,” Odhiambo stated in a Saturday statement.

It was only after hours of searching that the legal team discovered Njeri was being held at Pangani Police Station, around 8 p.m. Friday evening.

When LSK advocates finally located Njeri at Pangani Police Station, they encountered significant resistance from authorities.

Despite prolonged negotiations to gain access to their client, efforts to secure her release on police bail have been unsuccessful.

The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Pangani has refused to grant her bail, forcing her legal team to maintain a vigil at the station late into the night.

“All efforts to secure her release on police bail have so far been frustrated by the officers in charge, who are yet to cede to requests by counsel to release her,” Odhiambo explained, adding that she had spoken with lawyer @rtunguru who updated her on the deteriorating situation.

The Website That Sparked Controversy

Njeri’s arrest stems from her recent launch of a website titled “Objection to the Finance Bill 2025 (National Assembly Bills No. 19 of 2025),” through which she encouraged Kenyans to submit their feedback and formal objections to the proposed legislation.

The bill has sparked national debate, with many Kenyans expressing grave concern over proposed tax increases that critics argue will exacerbate economic hardships.

Mwangi, known as “The People’s Watchman,” took to social media early this morning to rally support for the planned demonstration, revealing his own injuries—two broken toes and multiple fractures—sustained during recent protests.

Despite his condition, he vowed to lead the demonstration, stating, “Either the police give her bond to which she is entitled, or we shut down the station.”

He emphasized that Njeri’s detention violates her constitutional rights, asserting that it is the duty of citizens to demand her release.

“Her rights have been violated, and it’s our responsibility to stand up for her,” Mwangi wrote in his post, galvanizing a growing movement that has already seen clashes between protesters and police in recent weeks.

The hashtags #FreeRoseNjeri, #RejectFinanceBill2025, and #RutoMustGo have gained significant traction online, reflecting widespread discontent with both Njeri’s arrest and the broader political climate under President William Ruto’s administration.

Njeri’s supporters claim her arrest represents a deliberate attempt to suppress dissent and silence opposition to the controversial bill.

LSK President Odhiambo has urged the public to remain calm and vigilant as they work to ensure justice is served, promising regular updates on the case’s progress and reaffirming the Society’s commitment to defending the rule of law and constitutional rights.

Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on Njeri’s detention or the planned protest.

However, the situation at Pangani Police Station is expected to be volatile as activists converge to demand justice.

With public anger mounting and legal professionals condemning the police’s actions, the standoff could mark a critical turning point in the ongoing battle over the Finance Bill 2025 and the government’s handling of dissent.

As the clock ticks toward 10:00 a.m., all eyes are on Pangani, where the clash between activists and law enforcement may signal deeper unrest in Kenya’s political landscape.