Calls for changes to Kenya’s political system took a new turn on Monday after activist and comedian Eric Omondi was arrested during a protest in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
Omondi was at the Nairobi National Archives when plain-clothes police officers approached and arrested him.
The incident was peaceful, with footage showing officers handcuffing him before placing him inside a police vehicle.
As he was being taken away, Omondi was heard asking the officers why he was being arrested and where he was being taken. The officers did not immediately respond to his questions.
The arrest came as Omondi was pushing for major changes to the country’s governance structure. He wants the number of counties reduced from 47 to eight, based on the former regional system.
He is also calling for the Senate and the positions of Women Representatives to be scrapped. In addition, he wants nominated political positions removed and the number of Members of County Assemblies reduced.
Omondi argues that Kenya’s current political structure is too expensive to maintain. While he acknowledges that devolution was a good idea, he believes its implementation has placed a heavy financial burden on taxpayers because of the large number of elected and nominated leaders.
During the protest, he urged members of the public to visit the National Archives and sign a petition supporting the proposed changes. He plans to have the petition submitted to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission as part of efforts to push for a referendum.
The circumstances surrounding his arrest and his current location were not immediately clear. Police are expected to provide more information about the matter.
Monday’s arrest is not the first time Omondi has faced arrest during a protest. In June 2026, he was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after taking part in demonstrations over rising fuel prices.
He also faced arrest in 2024 while protesting outside Parliament against the Finance Bill. His latest arrest once again puts his activism and calls for political reforms in the public spotlight.
