A man who set himself ablaze in a desperate act of protest on Thursday evening has tragically passed away.
Robert Gituru, 28, died while undergoing treatment at the Coast General and Referral Hospital (CGRH), Mombasa.
Robert Gituru, the young man who set himself ablaze. Source| Screengrab
According to Dr. Iqbal Khandwalla of Coast General Hospital, the young man suffered severe burns and ultimately succumbed to his injuries while admitted to the ICU. His uncle, Samson Gituhu, confirmed that Gituru’s body is currently preserved at the hospital’s mortuary.
Ahmed Miraj, a former classmate of the deceased, revealed that Gituru graduated in 2021 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. However, his academic journey at Eldoret University was marked by prolonged strikes that extended his studies to seven years instead of the usual four. Miraj also noted that Gituru’s frustration was fueled by his inability to secure employment despite his qualifications.
Gituru’s disappearance was reported by his family members last week. Unfortunately, a distressing 43-second video circulating on social media shed light on his final moments.
Why the man set himself on fire
The video captured Gituru atop a statue at the Mwembe Tayari roundabout in Mombasa, clutching a Kenyan flag in his left hand. In a desperate plea for attention, he attempted to douse himself with a flammable liquid and ignite a fire. Unfortunately, the lighter fell from his grasp.
A fellow man in the onlooking crowd retrieved the lighter and handed it back to Gituru, who succeeded in lighting himself on fire. The video depicted the hot scene as the flames quickly consumed his body. Bystanders rushed to his aid, managing to extinguish the fire, but the severe burns had already taken a toll on his body.
Witnesses revealed their futile attempts to discourage Gituru from his drastic action. Said Omar, a hawker at Mwembe Tayari, recounted how Gituru voiced his frustrations about the high cost of living and the burden of unemployment. The incident has sparked various conversations about the mental and emotional toll facing many unemployed Kenyans.
As the nation mourns this loss, this incident calls for comprehensive measures to address unemployment and provide essential mental health resources for those struggling with similar challenges.
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