Comedian Eric Omondi Arrested While Leading a Protest Outside Parliament

Comedian Eric Omondi was on Tuesday arrested for leading a demonstration outside Parliament buildings in Nairobi.

Accompanied by a group of about 20 men, Omondi marched to Parliament to protest the high cost of living in the country and demanded an audience with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

They were carrying placards written "stima juu, taxi juu", among other publications.

The group of youths attempted to storm into Parliament after the speaker took too long to come out and address them.  

Police were forced to lob teargas canisters to disperse the demonstrators as they struggled to force their way into Parliament premises.

The officers engaged the youth in running battles and Omondi was arrested in the ensuing melee and taken to an unknown destination.

The youths wearing black shorts and bare chests had brought business around parliament to a standstill for about 30 minutes, with onlookers milling around to watch.

This is not the first time Omondi is leading a demonstration outside parliament.

In February 2022, Omondi chained himself in a cube outside parliament, with a bold placard written ‘Play 75 percent’.

The comedian sought the attention of parliament to debate and enact laws compelling local media stations to play at least 75 percent of Kenyan music.