Eric Omondi, Seven Others Freed on Free Bond After Pleading Not Guilty to Traffic Obstruction Charge
Comedian Eric Omondi and seven others have been released on free bond after pleading not guilty to a charge of unlawfully obstructing traffic along Moi Avenue in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
The eight appeared before a Nairobi court on Tuesday, September 8, where they denied the charge of obstructing the operation of motor vehicles on a road, contrary to Section 58(c) of the Kenya Roads Act, Chapter 408 of the Laws of Kenya.
Who Was Charged?
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Eric Omondi | Comedian |
| Cyprian Ateka | Accused |
| Alex Ngungu | Accused |
| John Ndungu | Accused |
| Kelvin Mwasia | Accused |
| Josiah Ogutu | Accused |
| Wilson Ouma | Accused |
| Olive Odhiambo | Accused |
What the State Alleges
The prosecution alleges that on September 7, 2026, the eight, acting jointly with other persons who have not been charged, unlawfully obstructed the operation of motor vehicles along Moi Avenue in Nairobi County. The State claims their actions interfered with the free flow of traffic along the busy CBD road.
Lawyer Accuses State of Political Arrests
Lawyer Danstan Omari urged the court to release the accused persons on personal bond, arguing that the case was part of a pattern in which the State arrests people over political activities only for cases to later stall or be withdrawn.
Omari told the court that he had represented Omondi since 2017 after receiving instructions from the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, and claimed that previous cases involving the comedian had failed to proceed.
“The State will always withdraw. Similar to this one, the State will not have witnesses to proceed,” Omari said, accusing the prosecution of adopting a “galloping approach” of arresting suspects and taking them to court without pursuing the cases.
Link to Constitutional Amendment Initiative
The lawyer also linked Omondi’s arrest to his involvement in a constitutional amendment initiative, telling the court that the comedian had previously been seen collecting signatures for the Punguza Mizigo initiative.
Omari argued that the accused persons were exercising their constitutional rights, including the right to participate in initiatives seeking to amend the Constitution.
“These are national heroes who want the counties to be reduced from 47 to eight,” Omari told the court, arguing that the proposed constitutional changes should be determined through the constitutional process.
Call for Prosecutorial Independence
The lawyer further urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to exercise its prosecutorial independence and not act as a “conveyor belt of the executive.”
He also asked the court not to allow the judiciary to be used in political disputes.
“Let this court, let the judiciary not be used in political battles. Let us deal with criminals who have committed crimes,” he said.
International Engagements Cited
On Omondi’s behalf, Omari further told the court that the comedian had international engagements, including a planned show in the United States, which he said would help promote Kenya’s image abroad.
Prosecution Does Not Oppose Release
The prosecution did not oppose the application for the accused persons to be released. The eight were subsequently released on free bond pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Key Takeaways
- ⚖️ Eric Omondi and seven others pleaded not guilty to obstructing traffic
- 🚦 Incident occurred on September 7, 2026, along Moi Avenue
- 📜 Charged under Section 58(c) of the Kenya Roads Act
- ⛓️ Released on free bond after prosecution did not oppose
- 🗣️ Lawyer Danstan Omari accused State of political arrests
- 📝 Omondi linked to Punguza Mizigo constitutional amendment initiative
- 🌍 Omondi has planned shows in the US