Comedian Eric Omondi Takes a Stand Against Rising Living Costs in Kenya with Bold Protest Outside Parliament

Eric Omondi, a Kenyan comedian, led a peaceful protest outside the Kenyan parliament building on February 9, 2022. The protest was aimed at drawing attention to the rising cost of living in the country. Omondi was accompanied by over 30 heavily built men who joined him in the sit-in, which involved singing liberation songs.
Earlier, Omondi had caged himself in a glass box outside the parliament building, calling on lawmakers to pass a bill that would require Kenyan radio stations to play 75% local content. He pledged to remain outside the building until the bill was passed, without eating anything.
On November 1, 2022, the bill was tabled and discussed in parliament, and Omondi was invited to attend the session as a special guest. The comedian was overjoyed by this development, which greatly boosted his quest.

However, Omondi and a group of youths were later arrested for attempting to storm into Parliament. The group, all of whom were topless, demanded an audience with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. The youths attempted to gain entry into Parliament Buildings after the National Assembly Speaker took too long to come out and address them. The police had to lob teargas canisters to disperse the rowdy youths as they struggled to force their way into Parliament Buildings.

The protests outside Parliament paralyzed transport on Parliament Road for more than 30 minutes. Kenyans are grappling with a high cost of living, which has continued to worsen, with prices of goods and services increasing every day. In June, Kenya’s inflation hit a 58-month high on soaring food prices, breaching the government’s upper limit target for the first time since August 2017.

The Kenyan government needs to take urgent action to address the rising cost of living, which is affecting millions of Kenyans. The government must work to improve the economy and create jobs to reduce poverty and increase the purchasing power of citizens. In addition, lawmakers should pass legislation that will benefit local content, promoting Kenyan talent and creating more opportunities for local artists.

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