Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei dies days after horrific attack by boyfriend in Kenya

Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei from Uganda died on Thursday, September 5, days after she was set on fire by her boyfriend by flaming her with petrol in Kenya.

According to the reports, Cheptegei, who is 33 years old, competed in the Paris Olympics after being attacked by her boyfriend on Sunday, has suffered burns on more than 75% of her body.

She was set on fire by her jealous ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema. The incident occurred outside her home in Eldoret, Kenya, following an argument between the two.

This latest incident of attack on female athletes in Kenya is the third sportswoman to be killed in Kenya since October 2021.

It is to be noted that Cheptegei finished at 44th place in the Paris Olympics 2024, and after her attack, she was admitted to a hospital in the Kenyan Rift Valley city of Eldoret.

The news of her death was shared by Owen Menach, senior director of clinical services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, during an interview with an international media outlet.

He shared, “Cheptegei “passed today morning at 5:30 am after her organs failed.” He further mentioned that a full report regarding the circumstances of her death would be released on Thursday afternoon.

Kipchumba Murkomen, Sports Minister of Kenya, on the news of her death, described it as a loss to the entire region.

In his official statement, he stated, “This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society, which in recent years has reared its ugly head in elite sporting circles.”

Similarly, reacting to the incident, Donald Rukare, president of the Uganda Olympics Committee, stated, “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei… following a vicious attack by her boyfriend.”

He further added, “May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women,” in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Further, Uganda’s athletics federation has called for justice for Cheptegei, as the statistics show that more than 34% of girls and women in the East African Nation suffer from physical abuse.

In addition, Uganda’s Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, shared that Kenyan authorities are investigating the killing. He further highlighted that such incidents have put the spotlight on the violence that the females in the nation go through.

Dickson has been arrested and charged with murder. Cheptegei was a mother of two and a respected athlete within the international sports community.