Stephen Odhiambo Obise, the Migori man who stunned the country after clinging onto a helicopter during musician Prince Indah’s traditional wedding, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison or a fine of KSh500,000.
Obise, who has since earned the nickname “Migori James Bond” for his daredevil stunt, appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Mathias Okuche at a Migori court where he pleaded guilty to the charge of imperilling the safety and security of an aircraft and its occupants through disorderly conduct.
“The accused person is hereby fined Sh500,000, or 18 months’ imprisonment,” Magistrate Okuche ruled on Wednesday, April 24, 2025.
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According to court documents, the incident occurred on April 13 during Prince Indah’s traditional wedding at Rapogi village in North Kanyamkago, Uriri Sub-County. Obise was captured on video hanging dangerously onto the skids of a helicopter—registration number 57-PKZ—during take-off, as it prepared to leave for Nairobi with guests onboard.
Witnesses testified that the pilot, upon realizing the safety threat posed by Obise’s actions, made an emergency landing at a nearby cultivated farm to ensure the safety of all involved. The accused then reportedly fled the scene and went into hiding.
Police later arrested him at midnight the same day and placed him in remand under a miscellaneous application while investigations were ongoing. He was arraigned on April 23, where he pleaded guilty and was initially placed on probation before the sentencing was revised.
The prosecution lined up several witnesses, including the helicopter pilot, one Stephen Johnson, and police officers Victor Nyandiemo and Teddy Obegi, among others.
In his defense, Obise expressed remorse and pleaded for leniency, stating that he is a family man with two children who rely on him as their sole provider. However, the court maintained that his actions endangered lives and could not go unpunished.
The incident sparked a wave of reactions online, with many Kenyans criticizing the stunt while others took to humor, drawing comparisons to action movie scenes.