A youthful man who set himself ablaze near a petrol station in the Mwembe Tayari area in Mombasa County has passed away.
The man who was latter identified as Robert Kioko, died on Thursday, August 17, while receiving medical care at the Coast General Hospital.
The man had been captured on a video pouring on him a suspected flammable substance before lighting it, thereby igniting the flames.
Those who were watching tried to put off the fire before rushing him to the nearest health facility.
It was widely reported that the 27-year-old engineering student later died as he had sustained 80 percent burns.
Speaking immediately after being rescued, Kioko listed the high cost of living and the bungled 2022 General Election as major reasons why he doused himself with paraffin before igniting a match.
“I’m not a thief; I have not stolen from anyone. I’m protesting because Raila’s victory (in the last presidential election) was stolen,” he kept shouting as he wriggled in pain when the onlookers questioned him.
Gituhu’s uncle Samson Gituhu revealed that the deceased had been missing for about three days before the incident that led to the loss of his life.
“He has been missing for about three days and we were looking for him. We even posted a missing person alert on Facebook,” said Samson.
Samson further revealed that his nephew had been diagnosed with mental illness, a problem that he developed while he was studying.
“He was also frustrated by the lack of employment after he studied hard and graduated. He used to regularly complain about the lack of a job. He was a learned young man who graduated in 2021. He loved his books so much and studied a lot. It is sad that it had to end this way,” he added.
