Comedian Eric Omondi and seven others appeared before the Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday, following their arrest in the Nairobi city centre the day before. He was arrested by plainclothes police officers.
He pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing the operation of motor vehicles on a road, contrary to Section 58(c) of the Kenya Roads Act, Chapter 403 of the Laws of Kenya.
He was then released on a free bond while seven co-accused were released on Sh2,000 each.
Comedian Eric Omondi (second right)and others who appeared before the Milimani Law Courts on September 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Omondi was arrested outside the Nairobi National Archives on Moi Avenue while launching his "Punguza Mzigo" referendum campaign. He's seeking to gather one million signatures to support a constitutional amendment to reduce the number of counties in Kenya from 47 to 8. He's also seeking scrapping of several legislative seats to "ease the heavy tax burden" on citizens.
Before his arrest, the comedian claimed to have collected about 450,000 signatures from previous drives in Meru, Mombasa and Kakamega.
This isn't the first time he's run into trouble with authorities this year. In June, he was arrested and charged with obstructing traffic along Kimathi Street in the Nairobi CBD. He was then freed on a personal bond of Sh100,000 after spending the weekend in police custody.
The charge stated that at the time, he offloaded 120 empty 10-litre jerry cans from a lorry, thereby obstructing the free flow of traffic. He was represented lawyers Danstan Omari, Martina Swiga and legislator Babu Owino.
Comedian Eric Omondi in court on June 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Richard Munguti | Nation
Omari had argued that the empty jerry cans were being taken to some needy city residents for water storage.
