Kenyan Innovator Rose Njeri Named to TIME100 Next for Civic Tech Innovation
Kenyan software developer and civic tech innovator Rose Njeri has been named among the Africans featured in TIME Magazine’s 2025 TIME100 Next list for her role in creating an online tool that helped Kenyan citizens participate in public consultations on a contentious finance bill.
Njeri, from Nairobi, rose to prominence earlier this year when she developed a digital platform that allowed Kenyans to send emails directly to parliament, expressing their opinions and objections regarding the proposed finance bill. The tool, which was quickly shared across social media, became an unexpected centerpiece of public engagement, enabling thousands of citizens to participate in the consultation process, many for the first time.
The platform’s simplicity and accessibility made it a powerful tool for civic participation. Within hours of its launch, thousands of emails were sent to the National Assembly and the Finance Committee, forcing lawmakers to take notice of public opinion in a process often criticized for lacking transparency and inclusivity.
However, Njeri’s innovation also drew the attention of authorities. She was arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Nairobi and charged under Kenya’s cybercrime laws for alleged unauthorized interference with computer systems. Her detention sparked widespread outrage from human rights groups and digital rights advocates, who saw her arrest as a sign of government intolerance toward civic activism. The charges were later dismissed by a Nairobi court, which ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove any offense.
Despite the ordeal, Njeri’s work earned her global recognition. TIME Magazine included her in the Advocates category of the TIME100 Next 2025 list, which celebrates emerging leaders and changemakers around the world. The magazine described her as someone who “transformed civic frustration into organized action,” acknowledging her impact on citizen engagement and digital activism in Kenya.
In a message shared on social media after the announcement, Njeri said the recognition belonged not only to her but also to every Kenyan who used the tool and believed in their right to be heard. She emphasized that her goal was to make public participation easier and more transparent, especially for citizens who often feel disconnected from decision making processes. Njeri has since expressed her intention to continue developing civic technology tools that promote accountability and transparency. She is reportedly working on an open-source platform designed to collect and analyze public feedback on government policies to ensure that authorities cannot dismiss citizen opinions.
Njeru's inclusion in the TIME100 Next list underscores the rising influence of African innovators who are reshaping how citizens engage with governments and fight for their rights in the digital age.