Former street boy Patrick Hinga, whose story of transformation captured the nation after he was rescued by a former schoolmate, has passed on.
The circumstances of his death still remain unclear.
Wanja Mwaura, the childhood friend who helped Mr Hinga’s journey from street life and drug addiction, announced the death on social media on Sunday.
“With deep sorrow, I want to inform you that Hinga has rested. He passed on this morning (Sunday, March 17). I do not have the strength to say much right now. Rest in peace, my friend,” her Facebook post read.
Hinga’s involvement with drugs started when he was in standard eight after friends introduced him to the lifestyle.
“It all began with cigarettes,” he says. “Before we knew it, we were smoking Bhang. I gave in to drugs because of peer pressure,” he told Daily Nation in an earlier interview.
Hinga and his friends would sneak to the toilets to smoke cigarettes and bhang.
Kenyans were amazed by Ms Wanja’s commitment as she launched an appeal that saw Hinga undergo a rehabilitation programme at the Chiromo Medical Lane Centre.
He successfully completed the programme in May 2018 and the hospital waived a Sh149,000 bill.
In August 2018, however, it is reported that Hinga had a relapse and was spotted at Wangige Market in Kabete where a few people tried to reach out to him, including his former classmate.