Comedian and activist Eric Omondi on Monday intensified his campaign against soaring fuel prices after storming Nairobi’s central business district with a lorry packed with empty yellow jerricans, dramatically offloading them onto busy streets in protest over the rising cost of living.
The outspoken entertainer, known for his theatrical demonstrations against economic hardship, arrived in the CBD aboard a truck whose rear doors were flung open before dozens of empty containers were unloaded in full public view, drawing crowds of supporters and curious onlookers.
The protest came just days after Omondi staged another symbolic demonstration outside a petrol station, where he dragged a chain of empty jerricans along the roadside to highlight the financial burden many Kenyans face following recent fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Addressing crowds during Monday’s protest, Omondi warned that tougher action could follow if fuel prices were not reduced.
“Eeeh ni hivi, na kama hamtapunguza bei next week Monday ni total shutdown till Sunday. Monday to Sunday,” he declared.
As supporters gathered around the lorry chanting “punguza mafuta”, the comedian urged them not to fear authorities while continuing to unload the jerricans.
“Usiogope, weka hizi chini bro, toa tu,” he shouted.
Omondi later said the empty containers symbolised what he described as the economic exhaustion facing ordinary citizens struggling to survive under mounting living costs.
“Maisha ya Wakenya ni empty kama hizi vibuyu,” he said.
The demonstration briefly disrupted movement in parts of the CBD as police officers monitored the situation from nearby streets.
Dressed in a kitenge outfit featuring the colours of the Kenyan flag, Omondi later rode through sections of the city on a motorbike while continuing chants against high fuel prices and the rising cost of essential commodities.
The latest action follows a similar protest staged last Friday, where the activist walked along a road dragging several tied-together empty jerricans in what he described as a representation of the crushing burden facing millions of Kenyans due to increasing transport and household expenses.
In a video shared during the earlier protest, Omondi lamented the sharp rise in everyday costs.
“Hi guys, Eric Omondi here. Kila kitu ni expensive, nyanya imepanda, school fees imepanda, mafuta imepanda,” he said.
He also accused political leaders of being disconnected from the struggles facing ordinary citizens.
“Leaders are living in luxury while the common mwananchi is suffering. Lazima tuseme imetosha,” he added.
Shortly after Monday’s protest, Omondi shared images on social media appearing to show police officers collecting some of the jerricans left behind on the roadside.
Questioning the move, he wrote:
“Sasa kwa nini wamechukua vibuyu zetu?”
Omondi has repeatedly used dramatic public demonstrations in recent years to spotlight issues including unemployment, food inflation and fuel prices, with his protests often sparking fierce debate online.
The demonstrations come amid growing public concern over rising fuel costs, with many Kenyans warning that the latest price increases could trigger higher transport fares and further spikes in the cost of basic commodities nationwide.
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