Eric Omondi, a well-known comedian who was arrested on Monday, 3 April after erecting a barrier along Kenyatta Avenue and began shouting for a reduction in the high cost of living, was released on Ksh 5000 cash bail after being taken to Milimani Law Court in the morning of Tuesday.
He was arraigned in front of Senior Principal Magistrate Zainab Abdul, where he was accused of causing a disturbance in violation of Section 95 (1) (b) of the Kenyan Penal Code, where his lawyer Danstan Omari, who was representing him, denied the charges, claiming that he should be released on cash bail or personal bond because he has created jobs for millions of Kenyans.
“Your honor, before you is an international comedian who, through his humor, has given millions of Kenyans work. I implore the judge to grant him release on a personal bond or a $1,000 cash bail. Omondi may have been filming a comedic skit, which the police could not have comprehended,” Omari said.
Anti-riot police had to use tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd that had gathered around the Central Business District (CBD), listening to him before arresting him.
