Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan marathon runner who competed in the Paris Olympics last month, has died just days after being burned by her boyfriend, the country's athletics federation confirmed on X on Thursday.
Cheptegei, 33, who resided in Kenya, had been in a critical condition after suffering burns on 75% of her body following an attack at her home in the western Trans Nzoia County on Sunday. Her death was also confirmed on X by the Kenyan Olympic Team.
Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died after being set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya, according to Uganda’s Olympic Committee chief.
Cheptegei had sustained burns on 80% of her body, as reported by the acting head of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Rift Valley, where she was receiving treatment.
“All her organs failed last night,” a medic at the facility informed on Thursday.
Police have reported that a man named Dickson Ndiema Marangach, identified as her partner, allegedly poured petrol over Cheptegei and set her alight during an attack at her home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County.
The incident occurred just weeks after Cheptegei competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th.
Kenyan media have reported that one of Cheptegei’s daughters witnessed the assault at her mother’s home. “He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother,” The Standard quoted her as saying. “I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible,” said the unnamed girl.
Marangach also sustained injuries in the attack, with 30% burns on his body.
This assault follows the death of Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua, who was found dead in Iten, a renowned running hub in the Rift Valley, two years ago. In 2021, record-breaking Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop, 25, was found stabbed to death at her home in Iten. Her estranged husband is currently on trial for her murder, which he denies.
(With Agency Inputs)
