From cell to global stage: Kenyan coder Rose Njeri named in 2025 TIME100 Next list after Finance Bill fight

Kenyan software developer Rose Njeri has been honored globally after being named in the 2025 TIME100 Next list, capping a remarkable journey from detention to international recognition.

Njeri, 35, was recognized in the “Advocates” category for creating a digital platform that gave Kenyans a direct voice against the controversial Finance Bill. Launched in May 2024, the tool allowed citizens to email government officials about the proposals, sparking a surge of public participation. Within days of being shared on X, it went viral, amassing nearly a million views.

But the attention came at a cost. Authorities accused Njeri of violating Section 16 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, alleging that her innovation disrupted parliamentary email systems. She was detained, sparking an outcry from human rights groups, including Amnesty International Kenya, which demanded her release.

A Nairobi court later dismissed the case, ruling that the charges lacked the legal foundation to proceed. The ruling not only cleared her name but also thrust her into the spotlight as a symbol of civic innovation under pressure.

TIME Magazine described Njeri as “embracing her new role of advocating for change.” In her profile, she is quoted saying: “They want to ignore us like we are not part of the process as citizens. We shouldn’t just sit back and watch.”

On Tuesday, Njeri celebrated the recognition on X, dedicating it to those who supported her journey: “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.”

Now in its fifth year, the TIME100 Next list recognizes emerging global leaders across technology, activism, sports, entertainment, politics, health and business. Other names in the 2025 edition include Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema, British actor Damson Idris, American tennis star Taylor Fritz and Spanish football prodigy Lamine Yamal.

Analysts say Njeri’s inclusion validates not just her technical brilliance but also her role in reshaping citizen participation in governance, at a time when Kenya continues to debate digital freedoms and state oversight.

Would you like me to add a localized angle in the first two paragraphs tying her recognition back to Kiambu (if she has roots there) or more broadly to Kenya’s civic tech activism? It would make the story resonate even more with your audience.