A Kenyan software developer and digital activist, Rose Njeri, has been arrested and subsequently released on bail following accusations of violating the country's computer misuse and cybercrime law.

Her arrest, which occurred on Friday, has ignited widespread protest across Kenya, reflecting a growing trend of repression in the region against dissenting voices.

Njeri is accused of developing a tool that allows users to automatically send objections to the Kenyan national assembly's finance committee regarding the Finance Bill 2025. The bill proposes a series of tax changes intended to enhance government revenue but is feared to increase tax burdens and diminish disposable income for citizens.

Njeri publicly announced the tool on May 19, inviting users to easily express their discontent by submitting objections.

Her arrest has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including politicians, civil society members, and ordinary Kenyans.

Protests were held outside the police station where she was detained, with family and supporters highlighting the implications of her arrest for public participation in governmental processes.

Activist Boniface Mwangi articulated concerns about the message sent to Njeri's children and the wider community regarding civic engagement in governance.

Amnesty International Kenya described Njeri’s detention as a violation of her rights, emphasizing that any fair trial she might receive is now compromised due to the circumstances of her arrest.

The organization has recognized a pattern of repression whereby dissent, particularly online, has become increasingly risky in Kenya and surrounding nations.

The Finance Bill in question has historical precedent, as a similar proposal last year led to significant protests that resulted in numerous fatalities and the abduction of several dissenters.

Although protests have diminished, incidents of violence and disappearances targeting critics have persisted.

Njeri's arrest appears to align with a broader crackdown on dissent by East African governments.

Recent deportations of prominent activists from Tanzania underscore the regional trend of suppressing dissent.

Former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and several activists were forcibly removed from Tanzania while attending legal proceedings for opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

Reports indicate that they, along with others attending the event, faced sexual assault by Tanzanian security personnel.

In the face of these developments, the Police Reforms Working Group – Kenya, along with the Law Society of Kenya, has called on both regional and international communities to pressure the Tanzanian government for accountability regarding the reported abuses against activists.

Meanwhile, in Uganda, opposition leader Kizza Besigye remains imprisoned amid treason charges, highlighting similar patterns of repression linked to perceived government dissent.

In recent news, Ugandan lawmakers passed a controversial bill allowing for civilians to be tried in military courts, which has raised concerns about the rule of law and human rights in the country.

The ongoing situation in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania illustrates the critical challenges facing activists and citizen participation in governance across East Africa, alongside a worrying climate of fear for those attempting to voice dissent.