This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Published on August 9, 2019, a six-year-old Burundian boy, known for his comic stand-up routines on YouTube and in local theatres, has tragically died of malaria.
Darcy Irakoze, better known by his stage name 'Kacaman', tested positive for malaria on Wednesday at a clinic near his home in central Gitega province.
His manager reported that Kacaman was given malaria medication and returned home, only to go back to the clinic the next day critically ill.
Just days before his death, Kacaman performed with comedy icon Kigingi in Gitega, leaving behind a legacy in Burundi's entertainment industry.
His untimely death has drawn attention to the high number of malaria cases in the country this year, with the WHO reporting over five million cases and more than 1,800 deaths in the first six months.
However, the government disputes these figures, citing slightly lower numbers and claiming they compare favourably to previous years.
