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Eric Omondi arrested while leading protest against cost of living

The group was dispersed by police with tear gas as they attempted to storm Parliament.

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by EMMANUEL WANJALA

News21 February 2023 - 11:52
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In Summary


  • The placard-waving bare-chested men chanted bado mapambano (the struggle is on) as they made their way to Parliament buildings.
  • "Stima juu, maji juu, unga juu, tax juu" were the words written on the placards. 
Police arrest comedian Erick Omondi outside Parliament buildings as he led a protest against cost of living.

Outspoken comedian Eric Omondi was on Tuesday arrested after he led other men in demonstrating against the rising cost of living in the streets of Nairobi.

The placard-waving bare-chested men chanted bado mapambano (the struggle is on) as they made their way to Parliament buildings demanding an audience with Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.

"Stima juu, maji juu, unga juu, tax juu" were the words written on the placards. 

The group sat across Parliament road, obstructing traffic, as they sang songs to rally youth not to sleep on their laurels in the face of a struggle for better living conditions.

"Vijana msilale, bado mapambano," they sang. 

"Welcome aboard Eric Omondi…more people will join our movement of change … cost of living too high," Narok Senator Ledama Olekina said in a tweet following the protest. 

The group was, however, dispersed by police using tear gas as they attempted to storm Parliament buildings.

The attempted forceful entry was prompted by the failure of the speaker to grant the group audience from within the precincts of Parliament. 

Some of the protesters, including Omondi, were bundled in a police van and driven away after a brief scuffle.

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