Twist Over University Student Who Set Himself On Fire [VIDEO]

The unidentified man who was on Thursday, August 17 captured in a viral video setting himself on fire in Mombasa turned out to be a university student who was attempting to commit suicide.

According to Mombasa County chief fire officer, Ibrahim Basafar, Robert Kioko Toho, a 28-year-old student suffered 50 per cent burns after he doused himself with paraffin and later set himself ablaze in Mwembe Tayari.

Kioko was captured in the video standing atop a concrete block near a petrol station around the area and setting himself alight as horrified onlookers watched and recorded using their phone cameras.

Here is the video (WARNING: SOME VIEWERS MAY FIND THIS CLIP DISTURBING)

Here is the video of the engineering student who has set himself on fire in Mombasa pic.twitter.com/xlecwVCKez — Goddie (@Goddie_Ke) August 17, 2023

Screams and shouts from the onlookers were heard while others merely watched in dismay as the student stumbled and fell to the ground.

Another individual was seen rushing over to him as people gathered around to understand what was happening.

Another clip however showed him claiming that he set himself ablaze out of frustration of Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga, losing the 2022 general elections despite claiming that the former Prime Minister won.

The student however fell short of explaining how the outcome of the poll was connected to setting himself on fire.

Basafar revealed that Kioko, an engineering student, was rescued by well-wishers moments after his body went up in flames.

"He set himself ablaze and began to burn. A huge crowd that had gathered helped in putting out the fire that had consumed part of his flesh," he said.

The fire county boss added that he was later rushed to Coast General Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he is currently undergoing treatment.

Earlier reports had indicated that he was allegedly protesting the high cost of living in the country, but Basafar indicated that preliminary investigations pointed out the student's woes regarding the lack of pocket money as the reason he set himself ablaze.

"We have since established that one of the reasons for setting himself ablaze was due to lack of pocket money to sustain his life while at the University. He was unable to get menial jobs hence he had lost hope and decided to commit suicide," he noted.

It still remains unclear if the student, who was rushed to ICU after developing breathing difficulties, will face criminal charges.

According to Kenyan law, section 226 of the Penal Code, one is sentenced to two years in prison, a fine or both if caught attempting suicide.