On September 1, 2024, Ugandan Olympic athlete and long-distance runner, 33-year-old Rebecca Cheptegei, suffered nearly 80 percent burns on her body after her boyfriend allegedly poured gasoline on her then set her on fire at her home in Trans Nzoia County in western Kenya.
On September 5, it was reported Cheptegei had died from her injuries.
Dr. Owen Menach, the Director of Clinical Services and Surgery at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, confirmed the sad news, announcing that Cheptegei died at around 5 a.m. local time from “full organ failure.”
The Uganda Athletics Federation led tributes on X, posting, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence.”
“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace,” the post concluded.
The update comes after Trans Nzoia County Police Commander, Jeremiah ole Kosiom, said the attack happened during a dispute between Cheptegei and her boyfriend Dickson Ndiema. Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county’s many athletic training centers.
“The couple were heard quarreling outside their house,” he told journalists. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”
Ndiemma also sustained serious burns in the fire. The fire were put out by neighbors and transported to MTRH for specialized treatment.
The couple were described as having been heard arguing over the land the home was built on before the incident.
Kosiom told The Standard, “[Ndiema] is believed to have sneaked into the compound at around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday while the wife and the children were in Church. Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her ablaze.”
In August, Cheptegei finished in 44th place in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In 2022, she’d previously won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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