Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has come out strongly in defense of comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi following his arrest at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), accusing officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) of pursuing what he described as baseless and malicious charges.
The outspoken legislator revealed that he had joined Omondi at the Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters after the comedian was arrested on Friday afternoon.
In a statement shared on social media, Babu Owino criticized the handling of the case and questioned the decision by investigators to deny Omondi police bail.
“We are with @ericomondi at Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters. Eric was arrested today at JKIA today at 12.15PM. 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,” Babu Owino posted.
Babu Owino ‘s remarks immediately sparked debate online, with supporters of Omondi arguing that the comedian is being targeted because of his vocal activism and frequent criticism of government policies.
Arrest at JKIA
According to Babu Owino, Omondi was arrested shortly after arriving at JKIA and was later taken to the Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters.
By Friday evening, authorities had not publicly disclosed the exact charges facing the comedian.
The arrest comes amid heightened public scrutiny of law enforcement agencies following a series of high-profile arrests involving activists, bloggers, and government critics.
Recent debates over police accountability and civil liberties have intensified public interest in cases involving outspoken public figures.
A Familiar Face in Activism
Over the past few years, Eric Omondi has transformed from one of Kenya’s most celebrated comedians into a prominent social activist.
He has repeatedly staged demonstrations highlighting the high cost of living, youth unemployment, and economic challenges facing ordinary Kenyans.
His activism has often put him on a collision course with authorities.
In previous incidents, Omondi was arrested during protests and demonstrations, including campaigns against rising living costs and controversial government policies.
Previous Arrests and Confrontations
Omondi’s latest arrest adds to a growing list of encounters with law enforcement.
In an earlier incident reported by Nairobi News, the comedian was reportedly arrested by unidentified men in Nairobi, sparking concern among his supporters and raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the operation.
The incident fueled widespread discussion online, with many Kenyans demanding transparency regarding the treatment of activists and public figures.
His supporters argue that his activism has made him a target, while critics maintain that no individual should be above the law.
The recurring arrests have nonetheless cemented Omondi’s image as one of the country’s most visible activist-entertainers.
Court Appearance Expected
With police reportedly declining to grant him bail, Omondi is expected to be presented in court on Monday, where the nature of the charges against him is likely to become clearer.
Meanwhile, Babu Owino has called on supporters and members of the public to follow the proceedings closely, insisting that the case lacks merit and should not have resulted in the comedian’s detention.
As the legal battle unfolds, many Kenyans will be watching closely to see whether prosecutors can substantiate the allegations against the entertainer or whether the courts will agree with claims that the charges are politically motivated and unfounded.
The arrest came shortly after Omondi took to social media claiming that he had been picked up by a group of eight non-uniformed men and was unaware of where he was being taken.
His post immediately sparked concern among supporters and human rights activists, with many demanding answers regarding his whereabouts and the reasons behind his detention.
A few hours later, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that Omondi had indeed been arrested and was in police custody.
According to the DCI, detectives from DCI Central, working together with officers from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) Nairobi Region, apprehended the comedian following what investigators described as “credible intelligence” linking him to offences allegedly committed during recent fuel-price protests in Nairobi.
In its statement, the DCI said:
“Following credible intelligence, detectives from DCI Central, working jointly with CRIB Nairobi Region, arrested the suspect in connection with offences committed under the guise of the recent fuel-related protests in Nairobi.”
The agency further stated that Omondi was being processed for arraignment and was recording a statement at the Nairobi Region DCI Headquarters.
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Fuel Protests at the Centre of Investigations
The arrest follows a series of high-profile demonstrations organized by Omondi in recent weeks to protest rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of living.
One of the most notable demonstrations occurred in Nairobi’s Central Business District, where the comedian arrived in a lorry carrying dozens of empty yellow jerricans.
He offloaded the containers onto the streets, saying they symbolized the economic struggles facing ordinary Kenyans.
During the protest, Omondi warned authorities that failure to reduce fuel prices could trigger more demonstrations, drawing large crowds and attracting significant media attention.
The demonstrations briefly disrupted movement in parts of the city as supporters joined chants calling for lower fuel costs.
Prior to that, he had staged another symbolic protest by dragging empty jerricans near a petrol station to highlight the burden of rising fuel prices on households and businesses.
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