AFTER AND BEFORE: Former street urchin Patrick Hinga who was rescued from street life by his childhood friend Wanja Mwaura. PHOTOS | COURTESY
Reformed Kenyan street urchin and drug addict Patrick Hinga, whose story of transformation captured Africa after he was rescued by a former schoolmate, died of stomach complications.
READ: Former street urchin who won hearts with epic transformation dies
Ms Wanja Mwaura, the friend who rescued and introduced him to Kenyans, has revealed that Hinga died in a city hospital after complaining of a stomach ache.
In a Facebook post, Wanja said Hinga left home on March 14 for Kayole to visit his friends and while there he called his mother and told her that he was not feeling well but that it was not as bad.
“On Saturday late night the problem persisted and that’s when he decided to go to the hospital, but by the time the mother got to him early morning yesterday (Sunday), he had already passed on,” wrote Wanja.
Ms 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 underwent a rehabilitation programme at the Chiromo Medical Lane Centre. He successfully completed the programme in May 2018 and the centre waived his Sh149,000 bill.