Controversial comedian Eric Omondi has been released on Ksh20,000 bond, with an alternative cash bail of Ksh 10,000.
Omondi was charged alongside four other co accused with taking part in unlawful demonstration contrary to the Law.
He together with Maxwell Bunde, Austin Oduor, Zephaniah Ouma and Sylvester Omondi appeared before Kisumu chief magistrate Nixon Onyango.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges of taking part in unlawful assembly contrary to Section 79 of the Penal Code.
The prosecutor objected to the release of the accused persons on bond stating that some were not residents of Kisumu city.
The prosecutor further requested the court to also order the five not to participate in such unlawful activities throughout the hearing of the case.
This was opposed by the accused lawyer Kowino Omondi saying his clients should be released on reasonable cash bail. He said that the prosecution would be going overboard by restricting the rights of the accused persons contrary to the Law.
He noted that three of the accused were students and lived in Kisumu hence they were not a flight risk, adding that Omondi is from the region.
“This is no basis to deny our clients cash bail because they are not a flight risk”.
He also opposed the prosecution’s request to have the accused not engage in any such activity again.
“This will be infringing on my client’s constitutional rights, this matter is yet to be determined by the court whether they are guilty or not,” Kowino said.
The magistrate overruled the application by the Prosecution noting that upholding the application would be prejudicial.
