Deeply disturbing statements were made by a 28-year-old engineer who committed suicide on Thursday afternoon in Mombasa. The engineer Robert Gituhu said in a video that soon went viral on social media, ” price of maize flour isn’t reduced, I’d rather die. The victory of Raila was taken.”
Iqbal Khandwalla, the Chief Hospital Administrator, revealed that Gituhu died shortly after being admitted to Mombasa’s Coast General Referral Hospital (CGRH). Gituhu was treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), according to Dr. Khandwalla, but eventually passed away due to his wounds.
“His burns were extensive, covering over 80 percent of his body, and sadly, he didn’t recover. He lost his life due to the injuries. I can’t disclose more due to patient-doctor confidentiality,” explained the doctor.
The Saturday Standard recently conducted research that showed Gituhu earned his degree in mechanical engineering from Eldoret University in 2021.
Gituhu appeared at the scene waving the Kenyan flag, according to Silas Andika, an eyewitness to the unfortunate incident. He then reportedly started shouting.
“He proclaimed Raila’s victory in the election. He mentioned that if the cost of maize flour wasn’t lowered, he would prefer to end his life,” Andika stated, noting that Gituhu had brought petrol stored in a water bottle.
Andika remembered how at first the spectators thought Gituhu was making a joke and even encouraged him to light the match. Andika said, “He tried twice, but the matchstick wouldn’t light either time.
Gituhu is shown in a social media video seated on a statue at the Mwembe Tayari roundabout and holding the flag in his left hand.
“I have not stolen from anyone. I’m not a thief. I’m protesting because Raila’s victory was stolen,” Gituhu shouted before dousing himself with petrol and trying to light a match, but the lighter fell. A man dressed in a white T-shirt collected the lighter and handed it back to him. He lit it again and set himself on fire.
The 43-second video shows Gituhu attempting to balance atop the monument as he is consumed by fire. He eventually dropped off the statue, and a huge fire engulfed his corpse.
Witnesses described how they tried in vain to stop him from setting himself on fire.
According to hospital sources, Gituhu may have been struggling with depression. Some claimed that before making his debut on Thursday when he lit himself on fire, he had been reported missing.
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