Former street boy Hinga whose transformation went viral dies

A former street urchin whose story of transformation captured Kenyans hearts has died.

Patrick Hinga was rescued by his former schoolmate in 2017 after being found roaming the streets on Nairobi.

The circumstances of his death remained unclear after Wanja Mwaura, her former schoolmate announced his death on social media on Sunday.

Mwaura helped Hinga to overcome drug addiction by taking him to rehabilitation.

"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," Mwaura said on her Facebook post.

The two met in a market in Lower Kabete, Nairobi.

Mwaura shared their story on social media and that is how Hinga was introduced to Kenyans for the first time.

Born on September 15, 1983, he attended Ndararua Primary School in Kabete and sat his KCPE exams in 1998 where he scored 447 marks out of 700.

He was admitted to Uthiru High School, then a provincial school, in 1999.