Eric Omondi, 16 others plead not guilty to participating in unlawful assembly

They were facing charges of taking part in an unlawful assembly contrary to section 78 (1) as read with section 79 of the Penal Code.

Through their lawyer, the accused told the court on Wednesday that they went to parliament to get a solution to the current high cost of living, adding that they are representing over 50 million Kenyans who are suffering.

They have been released on Cash bail of 10,000 shillings each awaiting a pre-trial set for mentioning on March 6.

Omondi was arrested on Tuesday while leading demonstrations outside Parliament buildings in Nairobi.

He was leading a group of well-built, shirtless young men in demonstrations, where they demanded the Government to lower the cost of living holding banners inked "unga juu mafuta juu" and "high costs of living".

Police officers present at the premise ordered the demonstrators to disperse but were forced to lob teargas to disperse the team.

Omondi was then apprehended and bundled into a police car then taken to an unknown police station where he was held in custody.