Man in Raila chopper incident charged with attempted suicide

Julius Mwithalie, who caused a security scare by hanging onto the helicopter's landing skids as it took off from Maili Tatu stadium in Igembe Central, was charged with attempted suicide.PHOTO: COURTESY

A man who was recently seen clinging onto ODM leader Raila Odinga's helicopter was yesterday arraigned in a Maua court.

Julius Mwithalie, who caused a security scare by hanging onto the helicopter's landing skids as it took off from Maili Tatu stadium in Igembe Central, was charged with attempted suicide.

Mr Mwithalie, who was represented by lawyer Hosea Mutembei, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Mutembei pleaded with the court to release him on a personal bond because he hails from a poor background.

The court heard that Mwithalie's father is facing life imprisonment for assaulting his two sisters and cutting off their legs.

Mwithalie said he was the only bread winner in the family and hunted moles to eke out a living for his dependants.

Resident Magistrate Antony Munene remanded him until Friday when a mental report to determine if he was fit to stand trial will be tabled.

Speaking to the press after the incident, Mwithalie said he was an ardent admirer of Raila and clung onto the helicopter because he wanted the Opposition leader to offer him a job.