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Eric Omondi arrested at JKIA over fuel protests probe
Comedian Eric Omondi.
Comedian and activist Eric Omondi has been arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) over his alleged involvement in recent protests against rising fuel prices in Nairobi.
Mr Omondi announced his arrest on social media shortly after security officers picked him up.
"Just been arrested by a group of 8 non-uniformed men. I have no idea where we are headed!!!" he posted on Facebook.
His arrest was later confirmed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which said detectives had been pursuing leads linking him to offences allegedly committed during demonstrations over the fuel price hike.
In a statement posted on its social media platforms, the DCI said Omondi was arrested on June 5 following what it described as credible intelligence gathered by detectives from DCI Central in collaboration with the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) Nairobi Region.
The agency said the comedian was being processed at the Nairobi Regional Area Police Headquarters, where he was recording a statement ahead of his planned arraignment in court.
"The arrest follows ongoing investigations in which several other suspects linked to the same incidents were previously arrested and subsequently arraigned in court on 18th May 2026," the DCI said.
The agency maintained that while the Constitution guarantees the right to assemble, demonstrate, and picket peacefully, those freedoms must be exercised within the confines of the law.
"The DCI will not hesitate to take decisive action against anyone involved in such offences. No matter where you hide, the long arm of the law will catch up with you," the agency said.
His lawyer and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino condemned the arrest and termed the charges facing his client baseless.
"We are with Eric Omondi at Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters. Eric was arrested today at JKIA at 12:15 PM," Owino wrote on X after visiting him in custody.
"The charges pressed against him are frivolous, fickle, limping, and vexatious. The DCI officers have refused to admit him to bail. Let's meet in court on Monday and come prepared."
The lawmaker said police had declined to release the comedian on cash bail and confirmed that he would represent him when the matter comes up in court on Monday.
The comedian has in recent years emerged as one of the country's most visible activist-comedians, frequently staging demonstrations and public campaigns over the cost of living, governance, and youth-related issues.
His latest arrest adds to a long list of run-ins with law enforcement stemming from his activism and public protests.
In June 2024, he was arrested outside Parliament while staging a solo demonstration against the Finance Bill and was later detained again during anti-tax protests in Nairobi.
In October that year, he was arrested while attempting to organize an alternative Mashujaa Day celebration at Uhuru Park. In 2023, he was also arrested multiple times over demonstrations against the high cost of living, including while distributing subsidized maize flour to vulnerable Kenyans and during a symbolic march to State House pushing a mkokoteni loaded with youth CVs.
He was also among 17 people charged with unlawful assembly following a protest outside Parliament demanding action on the rising cost of living. One of his earliest high-profile arrests came in November 2021 when he and a group of artists stormed Parliament to demand greater airplay for Kenyan music.
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