Eric Omondi released on Ksh.100,000 bond in traffic obstruction case

When the matter came up in court on Monday, Omondi denied the charge.

The accused was granted a personal bond of Ksh.100,000.

His lawyers Danstan Omari and Babu Owino urged the court to release him on favourable bond terms, arguing that the offence is bailable and that the circumstances surrounding the case did not warrant his continued detention.

According to the charge sheet, Omondi is accused of unlawfully obstructing the operation of vehicles on Kimathi Street in Nairobi on May 18, 2026, by offloading 120 empty 10-litre plastic jerricans from a motor vehicle registration number KAR 508Y, an Isuzu lorry, thereby obstructing the free flow of traffic.

Omari told the court that the 120 jerricans were intended for distribution to residents to help them fetch and store water, noting that many ordinary Kenyans depend on such containers for their daily water needs.

"The accused person has political ambitions and had bought the jerricans to take to his voters. It is public knowledge that people use jerricans to fetch water. The 120 jerricans have since been confiscated, and the intended beneficiaries have been unable to access them," the lawyer submitted.

Lawyer Babu Owino informed the court that Omondi was travelling when he was allegedly removed from a flight by police officers and arrested.

Citing Article 28 of the Constitution on human dignity, Owino argued that the manner in which the comedian was arrested at an international airport was humiliating and violated his dignity.

"The manner in which Omondi was arrested was embarrassing in an international airport. I proceeded to where Eric was detained and requested bail, but the officer in charge declined," Owino told the court.

The lawyer also questioned the basis of the charge, arguing that the alleged obstruction occurred on a day of protests when traffic movement within the city was already disrupted.

"Your Honour, there was no vehicle to be obstructed on that day. Even police vehicles were parked for lack of fuel," he submitted.

Owino urged the court to release Omondi on a personal bond, arguing that law enforcement agencies should focus their resources on more serious criminal offences.

The prosecution had opposed the application, saying that Omondi had been summoned and failed to obey the summons, which led to his arrest. He had not boarded the flight when he was arrested 

The matter will be mentioned on July 2, 2026.