Bungomas James Bond released on cash bail

Salee Wanjala, the man who hit headlines for hanging on the helicopter that was carrying the body of slain businessman Jacob Juma in Bungoma, has been released on a 30,000 shillings cash bail.

This comes after he was Friday morning arraigned before Bungoma Principal Magistrate Stephen Mogute for attempted suicide and endangering the lives of the pilot and other passengers in the chopper.

Mogute also noted in his ruling that a report presented before him has shown that Wanjala has never been involved in any criminal activity before and comes from a humble background.

The Magistrate has also sought an explanation from Bungoma police as to why they detained Wanjala instead of taking him to hospital as he had directed.

The case will be heard on June 6th, 2016.

Seven days ago, Wanjala was injured after hanging on the plane carrying the body of the late city businessman Jacob Juma while taking off.

The chopper, which landed at the Posta Grounds for public viewing of the body, attracted a huge crowd with hundreds of residents coming to bid farewell to the slain businessman.

The surging crowd moved closer to the chopper with some residents even trying to gain access into it.

Following the big number of residents coming to pay their last respect to Juma, the pilot – who was still in the chopper – decided to take off with the man hanging on it and refusing to let go.

Shortly after take-off, the pilot lowered the plane for Wanjala to jump off but he continued clinging on to it. The pilot had no other option but to drop him forcefully, something that left him with some serious injuries.

He was rushed to Lumboka Memorial Hospital in Bungoma for treatment.