Technology activist Rose Njeri has earned global acclaim after being named to the prestigious TIME100 Next list for 2025.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 30, Njeri said the acknowledgement also belongs to those involved in her journey.
"I’m incredibly honored and excited to share that I’ve been named in the 2025 #TIME100NEXT list!
"This recognition is not just mine but belongs to everyone who has walked this journey with me, challenged me, and inspired me to keep going," she said.
Njeri's achievement has drawn tributes from national leaders, with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka praising her innovation and courage.
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"Congratulations to Rose Njeri on being named to the 2025 TIME 100 Next List. Your courage, innovation, and commitment to empowering Kenyans through technology is truly inspiring," he said.
Kalonzo further commended her for creating a platform that resonated deeply with the youth and inspired global conversations.
"By creating a platform that amplified the voices of thousands against injustice, you showed the world the strength and resilience of our young people. I celebrate you for this well-deserved recognition and for reminding us all that the future of our nation is in capable hands," he added.
The TIME100 Next list is an annual feature published by TIME magazine that celebrates emerging leaders, innovators, activists, and creators from around the world.
The list is modeled after the well-known TIME100; while the TIME100 typically features established figures, the TIME100 Next shines a spotlight on the next generation of change-makers and visionaries.
On Friday, May 30, Njeri was arrested at her home in Nairobi and locked up at Pangani Police Station over the weekend.
Police officers confiscated her electronic devices, including her laptop and phone, and she was reportedly coerced to surrender passwords granting them access.
After spending four nights at Pangani Police Station, she was transferred to an undisclosed location without notifying her family or her lawyers.
Amnesty Kenya stated that she had been held incommunicado and deprived of her right to legal representation during her detention.
"The rights of an arrested person under Article 49 of the Constitution of Kenya are clear. All persons have the right to be informed promptly of the reasons of their arrest and to communicate with an advocate and other persons whose assistance is necessary, including a medical doctor (Rose Njeri has a medical condition).
"She also has the right to be released on bond or bail on reasonable conditions and prompt court appearance as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than 24 hours after arrest. Her right to a fair trial is further protected under Article 50 which presumes her to be innocent until proven guilty to a public trial with counsel of her choice," the organisation said at the time.
When she was finally arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts, Rose faced charges under Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
Prosecutors claimed her online tool, which allowed citizens to send emails to members of parliament over the controversial 2025 Finance Bill, amounted to such interference.
The magistrate granted her release on a personal bond of Ksh100,000, and the case was set for a ruling on whether the charges could proceed.
On June 20, 2025, Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo delivered a decisive judgment, declaring the charges defective and ambiguous.
The court found that the charge sheet did not clearly disclose any offence and dismissed the case in its entirety.
"The two counts as presently presented do not disclose an offence as they are ambiguous," Onsarigo ruled.
