Eric Omondi recounts dramatic arrest inside a plane
By Valerian Khakayi, July 9, 2026Eric Omondi has opened up about what he described as one of the most dramatic arrests he has ever experienced, claiming he was apprehended while seated inside an aircraft before take-off at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Speaking during an interview on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Omondi said the incident unfolded after the plane had already boarded passengers and was preparing for departure.
“I was arrested inside a plane. I have never seen such a thing even in movies. Tulikuwa tumekaa; I think it was a delay of almost 35 minutes,” Omondi recalled.
According to the comedian, eight plain-clothed men boarded the aircraft and walked directly towards him before escorting him off the plane.
“I just saw eight men with no uniforms walking towards me. They took me, Miguna Miguna-style, and bundled me into a Subaru,” he added.
What transpired after the arrest
Omondi added that the officers did not explain why he was being arrested until they had left the airport and reached the Nairobi Expressway.
“Hawakuwa wanaongea; they only talked to me vile tulifika expressway. ‘You are under arrest juu ulimwaga vibuyu 3 weeks ago’ from JKIA all the way to expressway,” he claimed.
The activist added that the arrest was linked to an earlier protest in which he poured empty jerrycans on the streets to protest the high rise of fuel prices that occurred mid-May.
He questioned why he was arrested weeks after the incident, saying the offence had occurred 21 days earlier.
“Whatever happened happened 21 days ago, but they arrested me on a Friday and denied me bail nilika Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” Omondi added.
Eric’s arrest at JKIA
On June 5, 2026, Omondi was arrested at JKIA while heading to Kisumu.
According to Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, Omondi was arrested at around 12:15 pm before being taken into custody. The legislator later revealed that he met the comedian at the Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters after the arrest.
“We are with @ericomondi_ at Nairobi Area Regional Police Headquarters. Eric was arrested today at JKIA at 12.15 p.m. The charges pressed against him are frivolous, fickle, limping and vexatious. The DCI officers have refused to admit him to bail. Let’s meet in court on Monday and come prepared,” Babu Owino stated.