By Mumo Judah
June 8, 2026
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has taken up the legal defence of comedian and activist Eric Omondi, who was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday morning, June 8, 2026, following a dramatic arrest at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Omondi’s detention and subsequent court appearance has sparked fresh debate over the handling of politically sensitive arrests, with his supporters accusing authorities of targeting him over his activism linked to recent anti–fuel price hike protests in Nairobi.
According to earlier accounts, the comedian was intercepted at approximately 12:15 p.m. at JKIA moments before boarding a flight to Kisumu County, where he was scheduled for a series of civic engagements. Omondi later claimed on social media that he was removed from the aircraft by a group of eight unidentified, non-uniformed men travelling in a grey Subaru vehicle.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) later confirmed that the arrest was carried out by officers from DCI Central and the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), Nairobi Region. The agency stated that Omondi was detained following “credible intelligence” linking him to alleged offences committed during recent public demonstrations in Nairobi, including accusations of obstructing traffic and disrupting public order.
However, the circumstances surrounding his arrest have drawn sharp criticism from his legal team and supporters, who argue that the charges are politically motivated.
Babu Owino, who is representing Omondi in his capacity as a High Court advocate, visited him at the Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters over the weekend after police reportedly declined to grant him bail at the station level.
Speaking firmly on the matter, Owino dismissed the charges as baseless and accused investigators of conducting what he termed a targeted operation against the activist.
“I want to tell you as Eric’s advocate that that charge is frivolous, the charge is fickle, the charge is limping, the charge is vexatious. The DCI officers are on a fishing expedition… They were planning to arrest him on a Friday so that he could sleep in the police station in the cells from Friday to Monday.” — Babu Owino
Owino further alleged that the arrest was politically driven, describing it as an attempt to silence Omondi over his outspoken criticism of the rising cost of living and his involvement in street protests.
He added that the defence team would vigorously challenge the charges at the Milimani Law Courts, setting the stage for what is expected to be a closely watched legal battle in the coming days.
Omondi remains in custody as the court determines the next steps in the case, with his supporters calling for his immediate release and due process to be followed.
