Comedian Eric Omondi was detained at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on November 15, 2024, as he prepared to board a flight to Dar es Salaam for the launch of Skyward Express’s inaugural regional flight.
Omondi, who is a brand ambassador for the airline, revealed that immigration officers informed him of a “stop order” on his passport, barring him from traveling.
He described the incident on social media, expressing frustration over being held without prior notice or explanation.
Omondi’s arrest follows a series of confrontations with Kenyan authorities due to his outspoken activism. He has been a vocal critic of government policies, staging protests to highlight issues affecting ordinary citizens.
Notably, he was arrested during Mashujaa Day celebrations last month for attempting to honor victims of protests earlier this year. His partner, Lynne Njihia, has publicly decried these repeated arrests, stating that they undermine fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under Kenya’s Constitution.
Skyward Express, a budget airline expanding its services to Tanzania, had planned the flight as a significant milestone.
The route is expected to strengthen trade and tourism ties between Kenya and Tanzania. Omondi’s absence at the event, which he was meant to attend in his ambassadorial role, casts a shadow over the airline’s historic launch.
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