Tragically, 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died after a brutal petrol attack in Kenya by her ex-boyfriend. She had competed in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The disturbing trend of increasing violence against female athletes in the area has been brought to light once again by this occurrence.
In the midst of a land dispute, Cheptegei’s ex-partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, doused her in gasoline and set her on fire, leaving her with severe burns covering 80% of her body. Cheptegei placed 44th in the Olympic marathon.
Rebecca Cheptegei was attacked on Sunday at Endebess, a town in Trans-Nzoia County.
Rebecca Cheptegei was sent to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, but her condition worsened and she died of her injuries on Thursday morning, despite being there quickly. All of her organs had failed, according to hospital chief Dr. Owen Menach.
The Ugandan athletics federation released a statement expressing their grief at the loss of athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically died early today morning after being a victim of domestic abuse. We demand justice and denounce such actions as a federation. I pray that she finds eternal peace.
Joseph Cheptegei, Cheptegei’s father, had previously demanded justice, saying he had never seen anything so horrible.
Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei dies after attack by ex-boyfriend
His status is characterized as “improving and stable,” and the athlete’s ex-boyfriend Ndiema is presently in critical care after being admitted to the hospital with less severe burns.
Partners of East African athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua were named primary suspects in the murders of both women barely two years ago; this awful event follows in their footsteps. Suspects in the ongoing search for Mutua’s lover include Tirop’s husband, who is facing murder accusations; he denies them.
