By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, June 08, 2026 - Popular comedian and activist Eric Omondi was on Monday released on a Sh100,000 personal bond after pleading not guilty to a charge of obstructing traffic on a Nairobi road during a protest involving dozens of plastic jerricans.
Omondi appeared before a Nairobi court where he denied the charge of obstructing the operation of motor vehicles on a public road contrary to Section 58(c) of the Kenya Roads Act.
The court granted him a personal bond of Sh100,000 and directed that the case be mentioned on July 2, 2026.
According to court documents, Omondi is accused of unlawfully obstructing the operation of vehicles along Kimathi Street in Nairobi on May 18, 2026. Prosecutors allege that he offloaded 120 empty 10-litre plastic jerricans from an Isuzu lorry, registration number KAR 508Y, causing disruption to the free flow of traffic.
His lawyers, Danstan Omari and Babu Owino, successfully pushed for favourable bond terms, arguing that the offence is bailable and that there were no compelling reasons to keep him in custody.
Omari told the court that the jerricans were meant for distribution to members of the public to help them fetch and store water, saying many Kenyans rely on such containers for their daily 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," he submitted.
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The defence also raised concerns over Omondi's arrest at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where he was apprehended by police officers before travelling.
Owino argued that the manner of the arrest was humiliating and violated Omondi's constitutional right to 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 prosecution opposed the application, maintaining that Omondi had failed to honour police summonses, prompting his arrest. State counsel further told the court that the comedian had not boarded the flight when officers apprehended him.
The case will be mentioned on July 2.