Comedian Eric Omondi arrested at JKIA in fuel price hike protest probe

Popular comedian and activist Eric Omondi was on Friday arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in connection with investigations into offences allegedly committed during the recent protests over the fuel price hike in Nairobi.

In a statement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Omondi was arrested on June 5, 2026, following what it described as credible intelligence gathered by detectives from DCI Central working jointly with the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) Nairobi Region.

According to the agency, the comedian is currently recording a statement at the Nairobi Regional Area Police Headquarters as part of the processing ahead of his 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 DCI reiterated that while the Constitution guarantees Kenyans the right to assemble, picket and demonstrate peacefully, those rights must be exercised within the law.

The agency warned that criminal acts committed during protests or civic action would attract legal consequences regardless of the individuals involved.

"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 statement added.

Omondi’s lawyer, Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, has since visited him in police custody and dismissed the charges as “frivolous, fickle, limping and vexatious.”

He noted that the police declined to release Omondi on bail, adding that he will appear in court on Monday to represent him.

“We are with Eric Omondi at Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters. Eric was arrested today at JKIA today at 12.15PM,” he wrote in a post on X.

“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.”