Man who clung to Raila’s chopper charged in court with attempted suicide
The man, Julius Mwithalii, denied the charges before Senior Resident Magistrate Anthony Munene who directed him to remain in custody until he undergoes a mental check-up.
Julius Mwithalii (in handcuffs) after he was arrested for clinging on to Raila's chopper in Meru.
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The man, Julius Mwithalii denied the charges before Senior Resident Magistrate Anthony Munene who directed him to remain in custody until he undergoes a mental check-up.
His lawyer Hosea Mutembei pleaded with the court to give his client a lenient bond, saying he is the sole breadwinner for his family of six siblings.
The lawyer added that the prosecution cannot support the charge of attempted suicide, saying it should produce a statement of witnesses in court.
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Resident Magistrate Antony Munene remanded him until Friday when a mental report to determine if he was fit to stand trial will be tabled.
The man now nicknamed “The Meru James Bond” made headlines last week after he jumped on to the chopper's landing skids as it took off after Raila addressed the crowd much to the shock of the crowd left behind.
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Mwithalii was seen waving to the crowd beneath as he rode dangerously on the chopper’s landing skids for several minutes before the pilot landed at the nearby Athimba Primary School.
When later asked the reason behind his absurd actions, Mwithalii said that he wanted to follow Raila in order to be given a job since he had no means to earn a living.
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He exhibited no signs of remorse when he was arrested and said he had planned the whole thing well in advance.
Last year, a similar incident occurred in Bungoma after a man hung onto a helicopter that had transported the body of businessman Jacob Juma.
A wealthy Kenyan businessman later offered to fly the man from Bungoma on a fully paid ride to any destination in the country.
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