A 30-year-old man who was seen dangling beneath a helicopter during musician Prince Indah’s traditional wedding in Rapogi village, Uriri, Migori County on Sunday evening has gone into hiding, prompting a police manhunt.
The man, identified as Salom Obise, clung to a helicopter carrying YouTuber Oga Obinna moments after musician’s traditional wedding had concluded.
Uriri sub-County Police Commander Enrico Lyomu, who confirmed the incident, said they were searching for Obise, who took the drastic move of hanging onto a helicopter as it was taking off.
The father of two, who has since gone into hiding, shocked residents and guests at the wedding with his daring act.
“The helicopter descended into a cultivated field and dropped him there. We want him to explain why he chose to risk his life,” said Lyomu.
The man, who hails from Rapogi village in Uriri sub-County, ignored security warnings and was seen confronting the occupants of the helicopter before grabbing its landing gear.
Security personnel had attempted to remove him from the scene by physically restraining him and pushing him aside, but he remained defiant.
Residents and guests, who watched in disbelief, are seen in a video trying to warn the man, who earns a living repairing motorcycles at Rapogi market, against taking such a dangerous risk, but their pleas went unheard.
A few minutes after take-off, the man — whom some claim may be partially mentally challenged — was spotted hanging from the helicopter’s landing gear.
The pilot, reportedly concerned for the man’s safety, is said to have circled the area before descending and safely dropping him in a cultivated field.
He emerged unscathed.
A group of local youths who witnessed him being dropped from the helicopter ran to him and carried him off triumphantly as they left the venue. His actions have sparked outrage among Kenyans, with many calling for his arrest for endangering not only his own life, but also that of those on board the helicopter.
“Something terrible could have happened to him. He should never have taken such a drastic step,” said Calvine Omondi, a resident.
Obise, whose whereabouts remain unknown, is said to have boasted about being the first person from his village to board a helicopter.
“It is extremely risky,” said the OCPD who said, once caught, Obise will be interrogated on why he was trying to commit suicide.
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The happening conjures memories of 2016, when a similar incident was witnessed in Bungoma where a young man hanged on a chopper as it took off.
Saleh Wanjala who was part of a crowd that had gathered to view the late businessman Jacob Juma’s body, also clung dangerously to the chopper.
The pilot, who had noticed his unwelcome guest save for the wailing of residents, was forced to navigate through power lines to save the man.
Unlike the case of Obire who came out of the ordeal unhurt, Wanjala sustained injuries on his forehead and legs.
In June 2022, a man who hanged on former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Peter Munya’s chopper was arrested during a public rally at Kiegoi market in Meru County.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) confirmed that the Meru man was apprehended.
KCAA warned that any persons found invading the takeoff area would face the full force of the law.
