Don't charge Bungoma chopper man, pleads cleric

Saleh Wanjala hangs on the chopper that had ferried the body of the fallen billionaire Jacob Juma at Posta ground in Bungoma town. He was injured when dropped at Bungoma air strip, two kilometres away and is recuperating at Bungoma County Referral Hospital. (PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD)

The Government has been asked not to charge Sale Wanjala for hanging on the helicopter that was carrying the body of slain businessman Jacob Juma in Bungoma.

Bishop Beneah Salala of Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Mumias Diocese appealed to the Government not to charge the man.

Mr. Wanjala, 41, who does menial jobs, was part of the crowd that had gathered to view the body of slain businessman Jacob Juma.

The body had been flown to Posta ground in Bungoma for public viewing before ferrying it in a hearse to his Mungore village home in Bumula constituency.

The man is currently receiving medication at the Bungoma Referral Hospital. The government has said Wanjala will be put in custody once he is discharged from hospital.

"Wanjala need some serious counseling and proper economical rehabilitation but not to be jailed because he does not deserve to be there," said Salala.

He said the issue of Wanjala should serve as a wake-up call to the government that many youth are desperate and ready to lose their life through such means.

"It was not his wish. Many youth are living desperate life, there is nothing to hold on and that is why they are ready to hang on a chopper," he stated.

He said there is an urgent need by the government to analyse the circumstances under which Wanjala decided to hang on the chopper in a bid to avert such incident from happening in future.

According to Bishop Salala, the government should come up with mechanism to rehabilitate youth across the country that have lost hope and initiate some sustainable projects for them.

"Many youth do not have jobs, they end up spending much of their time in evil activities and consumption of liquor that corrupt their mental ability and the government is not also playing its part to address their plight," said Salala

It has been alleged that Wanjala was under influence of alcohol. He sustained injuries on his hip, legs and hand.

Bungoma County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed said Wanjala will be charged of attempted suicide and endangering the lives of the pilot and other passengers in the chopper.