Comedian and activist Eric Omondi has been arrested in Nairobi CBD while collecting signatures for his “Punguza Mzigo” referendum initiative, which seeks to reduce Kenya’s 47 counties to 8 regional units.
Although authorities have not publicly stated the reason for his arrest, online sources and videos circulating on social media show Eric Omondi being arrested during the signature-collection exercise.
Eric Omondi said he would collect signatures at the Archives in Nairobi as part of the campaign, calling on Kenyans to support his proposal to reduce the number of counties from 47 to 8.
Eric Omondi bold push to cut Kenya’s 47 counties to 8
In a video shared online on Monday, September 7, 2026, Eric Omondi was seen at the Archives in Nairobi CBD collecting signatures for his Punguza Mzigo campaign.
Omondi urged Kenyans to support the initiative, saying the signature drive at the Archives will continue through Friday.
“We are going to reduce the counties from 47 to eight. It will happen. We will be at the Archives CBD until Friday,” Omondi said.
Also Read: The Untold Struggles of Eric Omondi: From Being Auctioned After Comedy Fame to Becoming an Activist
The referendum campaign is targeting 1 million signatures to support the proposed constitutional changes.
The proposed changes would replace the current 47-county structure with 8 larger regional units, according to reports on Omondi’s campaign.
Why Omondi wants Kenya’s 47 counties reduced to 8
Eric Omondi has tied the proposed changes to efforts to cut government spending and redirect the savings towards public services.
Also Read: Eric Omondi Arrested in Nairobi CBD
Under the proposal, reducing the number of counties and eliminating some political positions would lower administrative costs. Omondi says the money saved could instead be channeled into free education from primary school to university.
The proposal is not new. In August 2024, Omondi was involved in a similar campaign calling for Kenya’s counties to be reduced from 47 to 8, alongside proposals to abolish positions such as senators and Women Representatives.
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