Eric Omondi Arrested in Nairobi CBD During Punguza Mzigo Signature Drive

Nairobi, Kenya — Kenyan comedian and activist Eric Omondi has reportedly been arrested in Nairobi’s Central Business District while collecting signatures for his campaign to reduce the number of counties in Kenya from 47 to eight.

A video circulating online on Monday showed Omondi being arrested and placed in handcuffs as he took part in the signature-collection exercise in the city centre.

Omondi had been collecting signatures in support of his Punguza Mzigo campaign, which seeks to introduce major changes to Kenya’s governance structure through a constitutional referendum.

Earlier in the morning, the comedian shared a video from the Kenya National Archives area, urging Kenyans to support the initiative. He said the campaign would continue at the Archives throughout the week as he works towards collecting one million signatures.

“We are going to reduce the counties from 47 to eight. It will happen. We will be at the Archives CBD until Friday,” Omondi said.

Omondi Arrested During Signature Collection

The reported arrest came as Omondi continued mobilising members of the public in the busy Nairobi CBD.

The incident is the latest in a series of encounters between Omondi and law enforcement authorities linked to his activism. In recent years, he has increasingly used his public profile to campaign on issues including unemployment, the cost of living and government spending.

His latest campaign, however, goes beyond economic protests and seeks fundamental changes to Kenya’s political and administrative structure.

Why Omondi Wants Kenya to Have Eight Counties

Omondi's proposal calls for Kenya’s 47 counties to be reorganised into eight larger regional units, broadly based on the boundaries of the country's former provinces.

The activist argues that the current system is too expensive to maintain and that reducing the number of administrative units and political positions would significantly lower the cost of government.

The campaign also proposes abolishing several political positions, including senators, Women Representatives and nominated parliamentary seats.

According to Omondi, funds saved through the proposed reforms could instead be directed towards essential public services, particularly education.

Campaign Targets One Million Signatures

Omondi says his campaign has already gathered more than 430,000 signatures, leaving hundreds of thousands more to reach the one-million-signature target.

The target is a key milestone in his effort to build public support for the proposed constitutional changes.

The initiative has already generated debate among Kenyans, particularly over the potential impact on devolution, political representation and the distribution of resources if the proposed restructuring were to become law.

Critics of reducing the number of counties are likely to question whether larger regional governments would adequately represent local communities, while supporters could argue that a leaner administrative structure would reduce government expenditure.

What Happens Next?

The reported arrest is likely to bring renewed attention to Omondi’s Punguza Mzigo campaign and could affect the ongoing signature-collection exercise in Nairobi.

For Omondi, the campaign represents an effort to persuade Kenyans that the country can reduce the cost of governance while redirecting more public resources towards services that directly benefit citizens.

With the signature drive expected to continue at the Archives until Friday, attention will now focus on whether Omondi can reach his one-million-signature target and what the next stage of the proposed constitutional process will entail.

The arrest also adds another chapter to Omondi’s increasingly prominent role as an activist, as he continues to combine his entertainment career with political and social advocacy.