Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan Olympic marathon runner, is currently fighting for her life in a Kenyan hospital after being set on fire by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema.
The incident occurred on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at her home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, Ndiema bought a jerrican of petrol, poured it on Cheptegei, and set her ablaze during a disagreement over the land where her house was built.
Cheptegei sustained burns on 75% of her body and is receiving specialized treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city. Ndiema also suffered burn wounds and is being treated at the same hospital.
Cheptegei, who recently competed in the women's marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics and finished 44th, had moved to Kenya to be near the county's many athletic training centers.
Her parents mentioned that she had purchased land in Trans Nzoia for this purpose. Neighbors reportedly heard the couple arguing before the attack and saw Ndiema pouring a liquid on Cheptegei before setting her on fire. They managed to rescue her and call for help.
This tragic event follows a series of violent incidents involving female athletes in Kenya. In October 2021, Agnes Tirop, a two-time world 10km bronze medallist, was found stabbed to death in Iten.
In April 2022, Damaris Mutua, a Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete, was found strangled with a pillow over her face in the same town.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation expressed their sorrow over the incident on social media, stating, "We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics, has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret."
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