Comedian Eric Omondi Arrested Again During “Punguza Mzigo” Campaign

Comedian Eric Omondi was arrested in Nairobi on Tuesday during the launch of his latest political campaign and later appeared before the Milimani Law Courts, where he denied charges of obstructing the operation of motor vehicles.

Omondi was detained outside the Nairobi National Archives on Moi Avenue while launching his “Punguza Mzigo” referendum initiative. The campaign proposes reducing Kenya’s 47 counties to eight and abolishing several legislative positions, which Omondi says would help reduce the tax burden on citizens.

Before his arrest, Omondi said he had collected 450,000 signatures during earlier campaigns in Meru, Mombasa and Kakamega. He is seeking to gather one million signatures in support of the proposed constitutional amendments.

The court released Omondi on a free bond, while seven co-accused were each granted release on a Sh2,000 bond.

The charges relate to Section 58(c) of the Kenya Roads Act, which covers obstruction of the operation of motor vehicles. Omondi was also arrested in June along Kimathi Street in Nairobi after unloading 120 empty jerry cans from a lorry. Prosecutors accused him of obstructing traffic, while his lawyers said the containers were meant for distribution to residents in need of water storage.

He spent the weekend in custody before being released on a personal bond of Sh100,000. His defence team included lawyers Danstan Omari and Martina Swiga, as well as legislator Babu Owino.

The June incident occurred during protests over rising fuel prices, linking Omondi's activism to wider public demonstrations over the cost of living. His latest arrest comes as he continues to promote constitutional changes through grassroots mobilisation. 

The “Punguza Mzigo” campaign seeks to restructure the country's political and administrative system by reducing the number of counties and eliminating several legislative positions. Omondi's legal challenges have repeatedly coincided with his public campaigns, with authorities citing alleged disruptions to traffic and public order. His supporters, however, have maintained that his activities are part of his broader political activism.