Eric Omondi pulls empty jerricans on road in fuel protest

Comedian and activist Eric Omondi pulls empty jerricans on road in fuel price protest accompanied by several men on May 15, 2026/ SCREENGRAB

Comedian and activist Eric Omondi has staged a roadside protest over the rising fuel prices by walking along a road while pulling dozens of empty yellow jerricans in a symbolic demonstration of the burden facing ordinary Kenyans.

In a viral video shared on his social media pages, Omondi is seen dragging a long chain of empty jerricans tied together as he walked near a petrol station in Nairobi.

The protest came hours after the latest fuel price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which increased Super Petrol prices by Sh16.65 per litre and diesel by Sh46.29 per litre.

The empty jerricans, commonly used to store fuel and water, appeared to symbolise the strain high fuel prices are placing on households and transport costs.

In the video, Omondi questioned the rising cost of living, saying the prices of fuel, food and school fees had become too expensive for many Kenyans.

“Hi guys, Eric Omondi here. The cost of living in this country is extremely high. Kila kitu ni expensive, nyanya imepanda, school fees imepanda, mafuta imepanda,” he said.

He added that leaders were living comfortably while ordinary citizens continued to struggle with the increasing cost of basic commodities.

“Leaders are living in luxury while the common mwananchi living standards are going up every day. Lazima tuseme imetosha,” Omondi said.

The activisst who was dressed in a dark hoodie branded “Sisi Kwa Sisi”, also wore heavy metal chains across his shoulders during the protest.

Several young men accompanied him, helping arrange the jerricans along the roadside and near the petrol station.

In another part of the clip, Omondi called on Kenyans to join him in a planned demonstration on Monday if fuel prices are not reduced.

“Na hii Monday kama mafuta haitakuwa imeteremuka, tupatane tao. Kila mtu abebe kibuyu,” he said.

The protest video quickly spread across social media platforms, attracting mixed reactions from Kenyans, with some praising the symbolic demonstration while others questioned whether such protests would influence fuel pricing decisions.

Omondi has in recent years become known for using dramatic public demonstrations to highlight social and economic concerns affecting Kenyans.

Previous protests have seen him use chains, vegetables and empty utensils to draw attention to the rising cost of living and unemployment.

The latest protest comes amid growing public concern over the sharp increase in fuel prices, which is expected to push up transport and commodity costs across the country.