In Summary
- Student was battling mental illness
- He suffered 80 per cent burns
A 28 year old engineering student who set himself on fire yesterday in Mombasa has died.
This was confirmed by his family.
The desperate act was carried out as a protest against the severe economic times that have gripped many Kenyans him being among them.
Robert Kioko is alleged to have purchased paraffin and doused himself with it before igniting the flames at the Mwembe Tayari roundabout.
According to Haki Africa Rapid Response officer Mathias Shipeta, Robert died while receiving treatment at the Coast General Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) this morning.
Shipeta intimates that Robert’s family said that Robert who was a Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) student was battling depression.
READ ALSO: Student Sets Himself on Fire over Tough Economic Times
“He has been battling mental illness and on so many occasions he kept on complaining that life had become unbearable for him and he saw no need to live”
he said.
Mental Illness
He has now urged the police to immediately charge a man who was seen in the disturbing video where Robert was burning himself aiding Robert to take his own life.
“There is a video which has been widely circulated of a man who now should be treated as a suspect. He assisted the deceased in committing suicide by passing over a matchbox which had fallen off after he climbed on a pillar at the Jomo Kenyatta Avenue,”
Holding a Kenyan flag in his left hand, he climbed to the top of a structure and committed the shocking act while onlookers watched in horror.
Prior to setting himself ablaze, Kioko had vocalized his frustrations with the dire economic conditions that have left him unable to even afford basic necessities like food.
READ ALSO: Mombasa Mechanic Wins Sh1 million Omoka na EPL Grand Prize
Disturbing video of the incident was shared online showing concerned citizens rushing to put out the fire that was burning Kioko’s body.
His clothes were entirely consumed by fire
The tragedy comes on the heels of nationwide demonstrations orchestrated by the opposition, focusing on the exorbitant cost of living.
These protests have unfortunately resulted in fatalities and property damage, indicating the depth of frustration and desperation experienced by many Kenyans.
