Student Sets Himself On Fire Over ‘Cost of Living’
A 28-year-old Engineering student at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) attempted suicide by setting himself on fire due to a lack of personal money.
He was observed pouring a suspected combustible substance onto himself before lighting it, igniting the flames.
Similar to Mohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian fruit and vegetable vendor who set himself on fire in the town of Sidi Bouzid on December 17, 2010, triggering the infamous Arab Spring, Robert Kioko Toho set himself on fire at the famous Jomo Kenyatta roundabout in Mombasa’s central business district.
Mwembe Tayari Area Chief Mohammed Musa stated that the student drew attention by climbing a billboard on the roundabout, dousing himself in paraffin, and then setting himself on fire.
People passively watched in dismay as the man stumbled and fell to the ground, eliciting screams and shouts from the onlookers.
As people congregated to figure out what was happening, a second individual was observed rushing towards him.
The student is currently receiving treatment for his injuries, according to reports.
The Chief Fire Officer of Mombasa County, Ibrahim Basafar, stated that Toho sustained 50% burns as a result of the incident.
According to Basafar, the public saved the student shortly after his body caught fire. He was transported to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Coast General Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.
Initial investigations indicated that he set himself on fire due to a paucity of spending money, Basafar noted.
“We have since determined that one of the reasons he set himself on fire was a lack of pocket money to support himself while attending college,” he said.
In a video that quickly went viral on social media, the young male can be seen engulfed in flames before falling from the column.
Observers swiftly extinguished the flames with water and rescued him.
Student Sets Himself On Fire Over ‘Cost of Living’