Raila offers jobs to ‘Meru James Bond’, three kin

Julius Mwithalii shocked residents of Meru attending Cord leader Raila Odinga’s rally on January 26, 2017 when he hung onto Mr Odinga’s chopper as it took off. FILE PHOTO | DAVID MUCHUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Odinga is expected in Meru on Monday, several weeks after the incident that happened during a voter registration drive in Maili Tatu, Igembe Central constituency.
  • Mr Mwithalii, from Thuuru Village, had earlier told the Nation that he did not cling to the helicopter for fun but as part of a plan to go with Mr Odinga to his home to ask for a job.

Cord leader Raila Odinga promised the ‘Meru James Bond’ and his three brothers jobs after they met him yesterday in Nairobi.

Julius Mwithalii, 28, who clung onto a helicopter carrying Mr Odinga in Meru County on January 26, got the rare invitation to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader’s office on Capitol Hill in Nairobi.

The delegation comprised family members and ODM officials from Meru.

Speaking to the Nation by phone after the meeting, Meru County ODM chairman Robert Kathata said without providing details that Mr Odinga promised jobs to the four.

“We have met and our party leader has promised jobs for Mr Mwithalii and his three brothers, who are disabled,” said Mr Kathata. “We will be getting more details on Monday, when Raila will be holding a political rally in Meru County.”

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Mr Odinga is expected in Meru on Monday, several weeks after the incident that happened during a voter registration drive in Maili Tatu, Igembe Central constituency.

Calls and messages sent to Mr Mwithalii and a representative from Mr Odinga’s office seeking comment were not answered.

Mr Mwithalii, from Thuuru Village, had earlier told the Nation that he did not cling to the helicopter for fun but as part of a plan to go with Mr Odinga to his home to ask for a job.

The Standard Four dropout said his family is beset with a myriad problems and that he saw Mr Odinga’s visit as a chance to escape from grinding poverty.

Mr Mwithalii’s father is serving life in prison for attacking their mother and three siblings, leaving them disabled. He chopped off their limbs in a domestic row in 2000.