Embakasi East MP and Advocate Babu Owino makes submissions before Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo during the hearing of comedian and activist Eric Omondi’s traffic obstruction case at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on June 8, 2026.
Comedian and political activist Eric Omondi has been released on a Sh100,000 personal bond after pleading not guilty to charges of obstructing traffic during anti-fuel price protests in Nairobi.
The case stems from an incident on May 18, 2026, along Kimathi Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District. The state alleges that Omondi unlawfully disrupted traffic by offloading 120 empty 10-litre plastic jerrycans from an Isuzu lorry.
He was charged under Section 58(c) of the Kenya Roads Act before Senior Principal Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo at the Milimani Law Courts.The legal battle intensified on June 5 when officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) intercepted Omondi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Authorities removed him from a flight bound for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he was scheduled to travel as a brand ambassador. He subsequently spent three nights in police custody.
The prosecution did not oppose his release on bond. However, they sought orders allowing investigators to retain electronic gadgets seized from him, stating they were part of the evidence.
Magistrate Onsarigo’s Ruling
In his ruling, Magistrate Onsarigo noted that the accused had a known place of residence and was not a flight risk.
“The court notes that the accused person has a known place of residence and is not a flight risk . I hereby direct that the accused be released on a personal bond of Sh100,000. The electronic gadgets seized by the police shall remain in custody as they form part of the ongoing state evidence.”ruled Onsarigo.
Babu Owino Challenges the Prosecution’s Case
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who is part of Omondi’s legal team, criticized the manner of his arrest and detention. He argued that the comedian’s constitutional rights had been violated.
“The manner in which Eric was arrested offends the Constitution . There was no traffic to obstruct on May 18, 2026, as matatus had already called for a nationwide strike over the increase of fuel prices. Police actively circumvented Article 49 of the Constitution, which requires a suspect to be released on bond pending investigations.” Babu Owino told the court.
Babu further argued that the arrest at JKIA caused Omondi to miss important work engagements, resulting in financial losses.
Defense Cites Humanitarian Initiative
Lead defense counsel Danstan Omari also challenged the prosecution’s case. He maintained that the jerrycans cited in the charge sheet were intended for a humanitarian initiative aimed at assisting low-income Nairobi residents.
“The jerrycans were intended for low-income Nairobi residents who rely on such containers to store water due to the lack of permanent storage facilities in their homes . Unlike a few rich Kenyans, the majority of Kenyans residing in Nairobi live below the poverty line and cannot afford to put water tanks on their rooftops.”Omari argued.
Omari maintained that the initiative was part of Omondi’s charitable activities and should not be interpreted as an attempt to obstruct traffic.
Supporting the defense position, lawyer Martina Swiga told the court that Omondi’s “Sisi Kwa Sisi” initiative has consistently supported vulnerable Kenyans and should not be criminalized for distributing items meant to help those in need.
“A Weak and Baseless Case”
Outside the courtroom, Owino welcomed the court’s decision to release Omondi on a personal bond, describing the charges as weak and politically motivated.
“It means that Eric Omondi has been left to go home for free. He’s paying nothing because the magistrate himself has seen it wise that that charge is a charge that was limping, a frivolous and a fickle charge, an obstruction charge . I want to state it clearly to the DCI officers that they should not be misused by the system to settle political scores.”said Babu Owino.
The case will be mentioned on June 22, 2026, when the court is expected to give further directions.
