I wanted to fly away from my troubles, says Meru man who hung on Raila Odinga chopper
What you need to know:
The 28-year-old casual labourer claimed his father chopped off limbs of two of his siblings in a family row, and wanted to stay away from home.
He ekes out a catching moles in the farms, digging latrines and plucking miraa among other odd jobs.
The Meru man who hung onto Raila Odinga's chopper as it took off after a rally at Maili Tatu on Thursday says he is a diehard supporter of the opposition leader.
Julius Mwithalii, who is set to be charged with attempting suicide, on Friday said he wanted to go with Mr Odinga to his home and hopefully secure a job.
He jumped off the chopper when it flew low at Athimba Primary School in Igembe South before he took a boda boda to his home, about 15 kilometres from the Maili Tatu grounds.
DAREDEVIL
Mr Mwithalii, who was unperturbed while speaking to the media at the Maua Police Station, was arrested at Muringene on Friday morning.
He said he had prepared for the daredevil ride when he learned from radio stations that Mr Odinga would be visiting the area.
"Did I steal anyone's property," Julius Mwithalii posed when asked why he hung onto Raila Odinga's chopper. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
"I am a staunch supporter of Mr Odinga, I had vowed that he could not leave me behind," said Mr Mwithalii, who sported an ODM-branded cap.
"I knew this was an opportunity to secure a job and even a chance to go back to school."
FLY AWAY
He said he had no fear when the chopper was airborne.
"If God is with you, nothing bad can happen to you," he confidently said.
The Standard Four drop-out said his family is beset with a myriad of problems and that he saw Mr Odinga's visit as a chance to escape.
"I have gone through a lot of problems and I believe Mr Odinga will come to my help," he said, adding that he was not aware that by seeking a free ride out of his trouble he was breaching the law.
He added: "Did I steal anyone's property."
MOLE HUNTER
The 28-year-old casual labourer claimed his father chopped off the limbs of two of his siblings in a family row, and wanted to stay away from home.
He ekes out a living catching moles in the farms, digging latrines and plucking miraa, among other odd jobs.
He hopes the ODM party leader will bail him out and give him a job.
Igembe South police chief Jane Nyakeruma said investigations were under way before he could be charged.
DUST CLOUD
She said the suspect took advantage of a cloud of dust raised by the chopper as it took off to cling onto the skids.
"He was put down at Athimba Primary School after we communicated with Mr Odinga's bodyguards," Ms Nyakeruma said.
She added, "There were enough police officers at the scene. Due to the dry weather, there was a lot of dust interfering with visibility."
A police source said 20 police officers had been deployed to the venue where Mr Odinga addressed thousands of residents.
MEASURES
Ms Nyakeruma said due to the emerging security concerns, politicians using choppers to rallies must use a different venue for landing.
"When politicians land on the very venue where they are addressing a rally, it becomes tricky for police to manage crowds," she said.
In the meantime, Mr Mwithalii is set to be arraigned on charges of attempting suicide.
