Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, has tragically died after being set ablaze by her ex-boyfriend.
The athlete succumbed to her injuries days after the brutal attack, which occurred in north-west Kenya, where she lived and trained.
Cheptegei had been doused in petrol and set on fire following an altercation with her former partner, according to local reports. The attack took place on Sunday as she returned home from church, sparking an investigation into the disturbing incident. Local authorities suggested the argument stemmed from a dispute over land ownership between the athlete and her ex-partner.
Police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom confirmed details of the incident, saying, “The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.” The suspect, who also sustained burns in the attack, remains in intensive care but is reported to be in stable condition.
Rebecca Cheptegei’s death has sent shockwaves through the sporting community, with concerns growing over the increasing number of violent attacks against female athletes in Kenya. Several female athletes in the region have faced similar fates in recent years, prompting calls for action and justice.
Speaking outside the hospital where his daughter had been treated, Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his grief and called on authorities to ensure justice is served. “I have lost a daughter who was very supportive,” he said. “I pray for justice for my daughter. I have never seen such an inhumane act in my life.”
Dr. Owen Menach, head of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where Cheptegei was admitted, confirmed her passing. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. May her soul rest in peace,” the Ugandan Athletics Federation stated in a post on X.
Dr. Menach also disclosed that Cheptegei’s organs had failed as a result of the extensive burns she suffered, leading to her death.
Rebecca Cheptegei, who hailed from a region across the Ugandan border, had made Kenya her home in recent years, purchasing land in Trans Nzoia County to be close to the country’s renowned athletic training centers. She had earned widespread respect in the athletic community, most notably winning gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand in 2022. She also represented Uganda in the recent Paris Olympics, finishing 44th in the marathon.
Her death comes as yet another tragedy in the region, following the high-profile killings of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, both of whom were killed by their partners. Tirop’s husband is currently on trial for her murder, while authorities are still searching for Mutua’s boyfriend.
Uganda’s Olympic committee head, Donald Rukare, mourned the loss of Cheptegei, saying, “This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”