A Kenyan man has reportedly avoided serious injury after clinging to the landing skis of a helicopter as it took off.

On Friday, a large group of mourners had gathered in the Kenyan region of Bungoma, as the body of high-profile business figure Jacob Juma was due to be transported to a burial site.

Footage shows the man, identified by local media as 41-year-old Saleh Wanjala, clinging to the skis as the helicopter appeared to take off, attempt to land, and then fly into the distance.

The astonished crowd can then be heard cheering.

The Nairobi News reported that the pilot tried to steer clear of tall obstacles and then lowered the chopper so Mr Wanjala could jump off from a safe height.

However, in the fall he injured his hip, elbow and suffered a cut to the eyebrow.

The report said the man approached the helicopter because he wanted to get a closer view of Mr Juma's body.

Police were investigating the incident, according to local media.

The death of Mr Juma made headlines in Kenya, with the businessman killed in a suspected assassination this month.