A dramatic and tragic incident unfolded outside the Supreme Court building in Nairobi on Tuesday morning when an unidentified man set himself on fire, reportedly in an act of protest.
According to an official statement from the Judiciary, the incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. along City Hall Way. The man, carrying some documents and a bottle containing a liquid believed to be petrol, stopped outside the Supreme Court building.
“While standing on the street pavement, he placed the documents on the ground, doused himself in the liquid, and pulled out a lighter, setting himself on fire,” the statement read.
Security officers stationed at the Supreme Court gate acted swiftly, rushing to put out the flames and rescue the man. Despite their efforts to extinguish the fire, the man sustained burns and was immediately attended to.
The police officer in charge of security at the court quickly called for backup from the KICC Police Station, and additional officers arrived on the scene. The Nairobi County Government dispatched an ambulance, and the man was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment. Police also collected the documents and the man’s burnt clothes as part of their investigation.
Authorities plan to interrogate the man once his condition stabilizes to determine the motivation behind his shocking and desperate act.
“The Judiciary is taking a keen interest in the matter, with a view to establishing if his drastic action could be linked to a court matter,” the statement added.
The Judiciary extended their wishes for the man’s speedy recovery as investigations continue. This incident has sparked concern and speculation over possible links to ongoing court cases or frustrations with the justice system.
