News Africa

Kenyan sets himself on fire over cost of living

A Kenyan man who said he was protesting against the high cost of living set himself on fire in the coastal city of Mombasa on Thursday afternoon.

He had climbed on top of a statue in the middle of a busy roundabout before setting himself alight. In a video that has since gone viral, the man is seen holding the Kenyan flag, he then shouts and, in a moment, a huge flame engulfs him.

He was rescued by onlookers who quickly helped put out the fire and was taken to the nearby Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he is being treated.

The man, who has not been named, told eyewitnesses he was protesting against the high cost of living and last year’s “stolen” presidential election, in which the opposition leader Raila Odinga lost to President William Ruto. The victory was upheld in court which dismissed Mr Odinga’s claims of irregularities.

Dozens of people have been killed in Kenya in recent weeks as police have cracked down on mass protests demanding electoral reforms and an end to inflation.

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

Related Articles

Back to top button