Eric Omondi, while appearing before court proceeding// Photo Courtesy.
Comedian Eric Omondi, often referred to as the “President of Comedy Africa, has been charged for causing disturbance along Parliament road.
According to the charge sheet, Eric Omondi, on June 4 this year, was allegedly involved in an incident along the Parliament Road in Starehe Sub-county, Nairobi. The charge claims that, together with other individuals who were not present in court, Omondi engaged in actions that could lead menace, causing disorder in the area.
His actions are reportedly claimed to have caused public disturbance by blocking vehicles on the said road, thus leading to snarl-up.
Omondi was arraigned before Milimani Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi to answer the charges, of which he denied.
The case has drawn attention due to Omondi’s history of using bold and unconventional methods to highlight issues or make statements, often blending his comic persona with activism.
The prosecution stated that Omondi’s actions were likely to inconvenience and disturb those using the road, potentially causing a breach of peace. The case also revealed that Omondi was arrested on Friday following the decision to proceed with the charges against him.
The Magistrate, however, expressed his disapproval of detaining the comedian. In his remarks, he noted that it was unnecessary to detain someone over the weekend for a minor offense categorized as a misdemeanor. He emphasized the principle of proportionality in handling such cases, noting that keeping an individual in custody for an extended period for a relatively minor charge was unwarranted.
Consequently, the magistrate granted Omondi release on a cash bail of Sh5,000, allowing him to regain his freedom while awaiting further legal proceedings.
The court scheduled the next mention of the case for December 4, 2024. This decision ensures that the matter will continue to be addressed within the legal framework without unduly infringing on Omondi’s liberty in the meantime.
