An engineering student who set himself ablaze near a petrol station at the Mwembe Tayari area in Mombasa County has passed away.
The youthful man died on Thursday, August 17, while receiving medical care at the Coast General Hospital. Reports alleged that he succumbed to the burns he sustained after lighting himself on fire.
Prior to being rushed to the hospital for stabilisation and admission, the deceased alleged that he was aggrieved by the soaring cost of living.
His family also confirmed his demise while speaking to members of the press but refrained from offering further details about the case.
Doctors at the hospital have yet to release a statement on his passing which is expected to shed light on the severity of the burns and medical treatment that was provided.
Furthermore, the exact cause of death remains unclear as the body had not yet been transported to the morgue at the time of publishing this article, pending an autopsy.
An autopsy will reveal the degree of the burns, other specific injuries like inhalation of smoke, which may have hampered his breathing, internal organ damages and infections or sepsis that occurred as a result of the burns.
Pathologists will also compile a detailed report for legal and investigative purposes upon request by law enforcers or the family.
The student gained nationwide attention after a video that captured the incident was circulated widely. Reports alleged that the deceased doused himself with paraffin before igniting a match.
Other than speaking against the high cost of living, the student also refuted allegations that he was a petty thief as claimed by area residents.
He also lamented that the outcome of the 2022 presidential poll was manipulated to rig out his favourite candidate.
A police officer privy to the incident told Kenyans.co.ke that they had planned to question him after his stabilization.
“We have already rushed him to Coast General Hospital where he is receiving treatment,” the officer confirmed the incident.
