NAIROBI, Kenya — Comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi has been arrested in Nairobi CBD while collecting signatures for a proposed referendum seeking major changes to Kenya’s governance structure.
Omondi was arrested on Monday, September 7, by plain-clothes police officers at the Nairobi National Archives, where he had been leading a peaceful protest and urging Kenyans to sign his petition.
Footage seen by Ynews.digital shows an officer handcuffing Omondi before placing him in a police vehicle.
Omondi is heard asking the officers what he had done wrong and where he was being taken, but the officers do not appear to respond.
His whereabouts following the arrest remained unclear at the time of publication, with police expected to issue a statement on the circumstances surrounding his detention.
Omondi wants counties reduced from 47 to eight
Omondi’s protest centred on a proposal to drastically reduce the number of administrative and elected positions in Kenya.
He is calling for the number of counties to be reduced from the current 47 to eight, effectively reverting to the former eight provinces or regions.
He argues that the current devolved structure has become too expensive for taxpayers because of the large number of elected and nominated representatives whose salaries and administrative costs are funded through public resources.
At the Nairobi National Archives, Omondi urged Kenyans to support his proposed changes by signing a petition that he intends to submit to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as part of a push for a referendum.
Calls to scrap Senate and Women Representatives
Omondi’s proposals go beyond reducing the number of counties.
He is also calling for the abolition of the Senate and the removal of the positions of Women Representatives, commonly known as Woman Reps.
He wants nominated representatives eliminated and is also advocating for a substantial reduction in the number of Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).
“Reduce the number of counties from 47 to 8, do away with nominated members, scrap the Senate, abolish the Women Reps, and reduce the number of MCAs,” Omondi was heard saying.
The proposals would require significant constitutional changes because the structure and functions of counties, Parliament and other constitutional offices are established under Kenya’s Constitution.
Omondi says devolution has become too expensive
Omondi acknowledged that devolution was initially a good idea but argued that the current system had become unsustainable.
According to the activist, taxpayers are being subjected to high levels of taxation partly to finance the salaries and operations of elected and nominated representatives at both national and county levels.
His campaign therefore seeks to reduce the size and cost of government while maintaining what he considers essential public services.
Omondi has urged members of the public to visit the National Archives and sign the petition before it is presented to the IEBC.
The petition would have to meet the constitutional and legal requirements governing attempts to initiate a referendum before any nationwide vote could take place.
Arrest interrupts signature drive
The arrest disrupted Omondi’s planned signature-collection exercise in the Nairobi CBD.
The available footage shows the arrest taking place without a physical confrontation. Omondi is seen being handcuffed and escorted towards a police vehicle.
It was not immediately clear whether he had been arrested for participating in the protest, collecting signatures or for another alleged offence.
Police had not publicly stated the reason for the arrest by the time of publication.
The absence of an immediate official explanation has left questions over whether the protest had violated any law or whether authorities intended to question Omondi over a separate matter.
A history of arrests during protests
The latest arrest adds to a series of confrontations between Omondi and government authorities over his activism.
In June 2026, Omondi was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after leading a protest against rising fuel prices. He and other protesters had used yellow vests as part of the campaign.
Omondi has also previously been arrested during demonstrations over government policies.
In 2024, he was arrested outside Parliament while protesting against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
His activism has increasingly focused on economic hardship, taxation, government accountability and the cost of public administration.
Constitutional hurdle facing the proposal
Although Omondi is seeking public support for his petition, changing Kenya’s governance structure would require more than collecting signatures.
The Constitution protects the system of devolved government and establishes the two Houses of Parliament, county governments and other institutions that Omondi wants to abolish or restructure.
Any attempt to fundamentally alter these arrangements would therefore have to follow the constitutional procedure for amendments.
The IEBC would also have a role in any referendum process only after the relevant constitutional and legal requirements have been met.
