Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei succumbs to burns

ELDORET, Kenya

Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has on Thursday died while undergoing treatment at the MTRH Eldoret due organ failure, Clinical Services Director at the facility Owen Menach has confirmed.

Cheptegei who competed in this year's Olympic Games was allegedly doused with petrol and set ablaze by her estranged partner Dickson Ndiema in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County on Sunday, causing 80 percent body burns and ultimately her demise.

"All her organs failed last night," a medic at the facility, the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), told our reporter on Thursday.

The Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) has also confirmed Cheptegei's demise in a post on their official X account, and called for justice saying "she tragically fell victim to domestic violence."

"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," read the post by Uganda Athletics.

The tragic turn of events comes just weeks after Cheptegei, 33, had taken part in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she placed 44th.

Earlier testimonies revealed Cheptegei's daughters witnessed the assault by Ndiema at her mother's home.

"He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother," one of them said.

"I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible," said the girl, who has not been named.

Ndiema was also wounded in the incident, sustaining 30 percent burns on his body.

The attack on Cheptegei has again thrown the spotlight on domestic violence in Kenya, as it comes just two years after Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua was found dead in Iten, a world-famous running hub in the Rift Valley.

And in 2021, record-breaking Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop, 25, was found stabbed to death at her home in Iten in 2021. Her estranged husband is on trial over her murder and has denied the charges.

Latest figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics published in January 2023 found that 34 percent of women in the country had experienced physical violence since the age of 15.