Police are investigating an incident that occurred in the Kora Kora area of Iftin, Garissa sub-county where a man set himself ablaze following the advice of a nurse at a hospital he had escorted a patient to.

The man identified as Mohamud Haret was at the Mukono Hospital on Friday, May 27 accompanying a patient, where he was ill-advised by a friend of his who was a medic at the institution to douse himself in methylated spirit and set himself ablaze.

Haret while conversing with his friend saw the methylated spirit at a desk and innocently asked him if the liquid was flammable and could cause burns.

The nurse jokingly misadvised his friend,telling him to go ahead and douse himself with it and strike a matchstick as this would answer his question perfectly.

His naivety got the better of him as upon application of the liquid on his skin, he proceeded to light himself up and was engulfed in uncontrollable flames, that caused him serious burns on his body.

“The inquisitive-hospital-guest-turned-patient sustained serious burns on the chest, face and arms and was transferred to Ghal Private Hospital for further treatment from Mukono Hospital where he had initially been.” the statement by the aw enforcers stated.

Police launched investigations immediately, cautioning Kenyans against causing others to inflict harm and injuries to themselves as it is a criminal offense. 

The NPS also highlighted the offence of aiding, such that in case an act inflicts grievous harm which could attract life imprisonment.

"We urge the public to desist from dangerous acts that may inflict harm to themselves, and those around them," the NPS maintained.