Eric Omondi Freed on KSh100,000 Bond After Airport Arrest

Kenyan comedian Eric Omondi has been released on a KSh100,000 bond after spending several days in police custody following his arrest at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Omondi was arrested on 5 June upon arriving at the airport and remained in custody throughout the weekend. He is charged under Section 53(1)(c) of the Kenya Roads Act. Prosecutors allege that on 18 May he obstructed traffic by unloading 120 empty jerricans along Nairobi’s Kimathi Street. 

The charge sheet states that the jerricans were offloaded from an Isuzu lorry, disrupting the movement of vehicles in the city centre. His legal team, led by Embakasi MP Babu Owino, has challenged the charges, describing them as lacking legal basis. 

Owino questioned the decision to confiscate Omondi’s mobile phones during the arrest, arguing that the action was excessive given the nature of the allegations. He also questioned the relevance of the investigation methods used by police.

The defence further compared the incident to the deportation of activist Miguna Miguna in 2018, claiming that Omondi’s rights under Article 49 of the Constitution and Section 28 of the Kenya Airports Authority Act were not respected. The lawyers accused authorities of reviving the practice commonly referred to as “Kamata Kamata Fridays”, in which suspects are detained over weekends without access to bail.

The case has also focused attention on Omondi’s activities outside entertainment. Through his “Sisi Kwa Sisi” campaign, he has provided assistance to Kenyans facing financial hardship. His lawyers argue that these efforts reflect public service and should not be treated as criminal conduct.

The case is scheduled to return to court on 22 June. Omondi’s legal team has indicated that it will contest the charges as the proceedings continue. The matter is expected to examine the application of public order laws alongside constitutional protections relating to civic action and protest.