Comic Eric Omondi was Wednesday, February 22, charged in court docket after he was arrested for main demonstrations in opposition to the rising value of residing.
The funnyman, alongside 17 others, was charged with creating an illegal meeting alongside parliament highway on Tuesday, February 21.
The accused denied the costs, and thru their legal professionals Danstan Omari and Kimani Wachira, they advised trial Justice of the Peace Lucas Onyina that they went to parliament looking for viewers with MPs to handle the excessive value of residing.
They mentioned they by no means took half in another exercise or destroyed property and have been solely expressing considerations of over 50 million Kenyans.
Lawyer Omari advised the Justice of the Peace that every one the accused are content material creators, including that Omondi is a Kenyan world model
“They went to parliament to get an answer on the present excessive value of residing. I urge the court docket to take judicial discover that 6 million Kenyans are on the verge of ravenous,” Omari mentioned.
“The state has criminalized these nationwide heroes combating for them. They’re irritants to the federal government,” he added.
Omari requested the court docket to grant them a private bond or money bail of 5,000 saying the younger males can not afford meals on their desk.
“We’re urging you to have a look at article 37 on the fitting to picket and 33 on the liberty of expression. Enable them to go residence in order that they will proceed to entertain us on TV,” Omari mentioned.
The prosecution didn’t oppose their launch on bail.
Justice of the Peace Onyina launched the accused on a Sh10,000 money bail every or a Sh20,000 bond plus one surety.
The court docket additional directed the prosecution to supply protection legal professionals with all documentary proof and witness statements to be relied upon through the trial.
The matter can be talked about on March 6 for pre-trial.
In the meantime, Eric Omondi has remained defiant following his arrest.
The content material creator indicated he’s not but carried out demonstrating in opposition to the federal government.
“It’s darkest earlier than daybreak. At present we spend the night time on the ground at midnight however tomorrow the solar will rise,” Omondi mentioned.
He added: “The voices of the Lots can be heard.”
