Eric Omondi Arrested in Nairobi CBD During Punguza Mzigo Campaign

Comedian-turned-political activist Eric Omondi was arrested by plainclothes police officers in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Monday as he launched a signature collection drive for his proposed constitutional reforms.

Omondi was taken into custody outside the Nairobi National Archives along Moi Avenue, where he had gathered to mobilise support for his Punguza Mzigo referendum campaign.

Footage from the scene showed several officers approaching the activist before handcuffing him and escorting him to a waiting police vehicle. Omondi was seen questioning the officers as he was led away.

The arrest interrupted the campaign activity, which was aimed at collecting signatures in support of proposed changes to Kenya’s constitutional and governance structure.

Omondi’s initiative seeks to collect one million signatures to push for a constitutional amendment that would, among other proposals, reduce Kenya’s 47 counties to eight regional units.

The campaign also proposes the removal of several legislative positions, with Omondi arguing that reducing the size of the political establishment would help lower the financial burden carried by taxpayers.

The activist has been conducting signature drives in different parts of the country as he seeks to build support for the initiative. He said before Monday’s arrest that his campaign had already gathered approximately 450,000 signatures from activities held in Mombasa, Meru and Kakamega.

The Nairobi drive was expected to provide another major platform for the campaign as Eric Omondi sought to expand its reach in the capital.

Central Police Station OCPD Patrick Gogo confirmed Omondi’s arrest, saying the activist had been detained over allegations of convening an unlawful public gathering.

According to the police commander, the gathering had not been formally notified to authorities as required under the law.

Gogo said citizens have the right to express their views and participate in public activities but stressed that such gatherings must comply with legal requirements and maintain public order, particularly in busy areas such as Nairobi’s CBD.

The police commander added that Eric Omondi remained in custody as officers processed the matter, with the possibility of him being taken to court.

The arrest comes as Eric Omondi continues to expand his role as a political activist after establishing himself as one of Kenya’s prominent comedians.

In recent years, he has increasingly used his public platform to campaign on issues affecting young people, unemployment, the cost of living and governance.

His latest campaign seeks to place constitutional reform at the centre of public debate by proposing significant changes to Kenya’s administrative and political structures.

The Punguza Mzigo initiative has attracted public attention because of its proposal to reduce the number of counties and elected positions. Eric Omondi has presented the reforms as a way of cutting government expenditure and easing the tax burden on ordinary Kenyans.

However, the campaign will still have to meet the constitutional and legal requirements governing attempts to amend the Constitution.

Monday’s arrest is likely to intensify attention around the initiative as Eric Omondi’s supporters await further information on his legal status and whether he will be arraigned in court.

The developments also place renewed focus on the balance between citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly and the requirement for organisers of public gatherings to comply with notification and public-order regulations.

For now, Eric Omondi remains in police custody as authorities determine the next course of action.