Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died days after being doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend. The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, had suffered extensive burns after Sunday's attack. The authorities in north-west Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained, said she was targeted after returning home from church with her two daughters.
Cheptegei’s death comes after the killings of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua the following year, with their partners identified as the main suspects in both cases by the authorities. Tirop's husband is currently facing murder charges, which he denies, while a hunt for Mutua's boyfriend continues.
The Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital after sustaining 80% burns to her body following an attack by her partner on Sunday. The 33-year-old Cheptegei had been receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city. A spokesperson, Owen Menach, confirmed her death on Thursday.
Donald Rukare, president of Uganda Olympics Committee, said in a post on X: “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei … following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”
Trans-Nzoia County police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom had said on Monday that Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a container of petrol, poured it on her and set her on fire. “The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,” Kosiom told the Standard newspaper in Kenya. “The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns.” Ndiema was being treated at the same hospital as Cheptegei.
Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans-Nzoia to be near the country’s many athletic training centres. A report filed by the local police chief states that the couple were heard fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire started.
Last month Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics and she was 14th in the event at last year’s world championships in Budapest. In 2022, she won the mountain race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.
Marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, was taken to hospital in Kenya after she was allegedly doused in petrol by her boyfriend during a disagreement on Sunday.
Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died after she was severely burned by her partner over an alleged land dispute. The marathon runner, 33, was taken to hospital in Kenya after she was doused in petrol by her boyfriend on Sunday, police said.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation posted on X: “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.”
Donald Rukare, Uganda's Olympic Committee chief, added: “May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”
Speaking to Kenyan news outlet The Star, Dr Owen Menach, acting director of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, said “we lost her after all her organs failed” on Wednesday night.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Monday Cheptegei's boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of petrol, poured it on her and set her on fire during a disagreement.
Ndiema also sustained burn wounds and was admitted to the same hospital, police said.
Cheptegei's parents told The Star their 33-year-old daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the country's many athletic training centres.
A report filed by the local chief says the couple were heard fighting over the land where the house was built, before the fire started.
Ms Cheptegei recently competed in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th.
According to the Paris Olympics website, she qualified for her Olympic debut in the marathon after setting a personal best of 2.22.47 at the Abu Dhabi Marathon in December 2022.
She also finished 14th in the marathon at the 2023 World Championships.
NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died after being set on fire by her boyfriend last weekend.
Cheptegei was attacked at her home in Endebess, Kenya, by her partner Dickson Ndiema Marangach.
A police report claims that during an argument, Marangach doused Cheptegei in petrol before setting her on fire.
Cheptegei had been at church with her children before returning home where she was confronted and attacked by Marangach.
‘The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house,’ said local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom.
‘During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.’
One of Cheptegei’s daughters who witnessed the assault told Kenyan newspaper The Standard: ‘He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother. I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water but it was not possible.’
It is claimed that Cheptegei and Marangach had been arguing over the land where the home had been built.
Marangach was also taken to intensive care for his injuries after suffering 30 per cent burns to his body.
Cheptegei had been scheduled to be transferred to a hospital in Nairobi for specialised treatment on Friday but her condition deteriorated.
Kenyan hospital director, Dr Owen Menach, has now confirmed Cheptegei died on Wednesday evening.
‘Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed last night,’ Dr Menach said on Thursday morning.
Donald Rukare, chairman of the Uganda Olympic Committee, said: ‘May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.’
A statement from the Ugandan Athletics Federation on social media read: ‘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.’
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is dead.
Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries after her alleged boyfriend doused her body with petrol and set her on fire.
Confirming the incident, MTRH acting Director Dr Owen Menach said that all her organs failed on Wednesday night.
Addressing the press on Monday, September 2, Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom mentioned that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday.
Reports indicate that the couple were heard fighting over the land where Cheptegei had built the house before the fire started.
The two sustained serious burn wounds and were rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation has also issued a statement calling for justice.
Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died after being doused in petrol and set on fire by a boyfriend. The Ugandan marathon runner who finished at the 44th position in the 2024 Paris Olympics, was receiving treatment for burns on 75 per cent of her body after being attacked in her house on Sunday.
Cheptegei, 33, was receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, Kenya. A spokesperson at the hospital, Owen Menach, confirmed her death on Thursday.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Monday that Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her and set her on fire.
Ndiema was also burned, and was being treated at the same hospital.
Menach said Ndiema was still in the intensive care unit with 30 per cent burns, but was “improving and stable.”
The Uganda Athletics Federation said: “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.”
Donald Rukare, president of Uganda Olympics Committee, said: “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei … following a vicious attack by her boyfriend.
“May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”
Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county’s many athletic training centres.
A report filed by the local authorities stated that Cheptegei and her boyfriend were heard fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire started.
Cheptegei’s death shines a spotlight on violence experienced by sportswomen in Kenya, where she lived when she trained. In October 2021, Olympian runner Agnes Tirop, a rising star in Kenya’s highly competitive athletics scene, was found dead in her home in the town of Iten, with multiple stab wounds to the neck. Ibrahim Rotich, her husband, was charged with her murder and has pleaded not guilty. The case is ongoing.
