Comedian-turned-political activist Eric Omondi has been arrested by plainclothes police officers in Nairobi’s Central Business District while launching his “Punguza Mzigo” referendum campaign. Omondi was apprehended outside the Nairobi National Archives along Moi Avenue as he mobilised support for the proposed constitutional changes. The initiative seeks to collect one million signatures for a constitutional amendment that would reduce Kenya’s 47 counties to eight regional units and eliminate several legislative positions as part of efforts to lower the cost of governance and ease the tax burden on citizens. Footage from the scene showed plainclothes officers handcuffing Omondi and placing him in a police vehicle. The officers did not immediately provide an explanation for the arrest at the scene. Omondi claimed he had already gathered approximately 450,000 signatures through earlier campaigns in Mombasa, Meru and Kakamega. Central Police Station OCPD Patrick Gogo confirmed the arrest, saying Omondi had organised a public gathering without notifying authorities as required by law. Gogo said citizens have a right to express their views but stressed that public order must be maintained within the CBD. Omondi remained in police custody pending processing and possible arraignment.