Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away in Kenya, four days after her boyfriend allegedly set her on fire. The horrific incident has shocked the athletic community and brought renewed attention to the issue of domestic violence in Kenya.
Cheptegei, a 33-year-old athlete who recently competed in the Paris Olympics marathon, was attacked at her residence in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya on Sunday. Her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, is accused of pouring petrol on Cheptegei and igniting it.
The athlete sustained severe burns covering 80 percent of her body and was battling for her life at a medical facility in Kenya. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries on Thursday. According to reports, Cheptegei’s daughter witnessed the entire incident. The young girl, who has not been named, reportedly tried to rescue her mother but was kicked by Marangach. The assailant also suffered burns covering 30 percent of his body.
The Uganda Olympic Committee, the Uganda Athletics Federation, and other organizations have condemned the heinous act and expressed their grief over Cheptegei’s passing. They have called for justice in the case.
This tragedy comes just two years after the death of Damaris Mutua, another Kenyan athlete, who was found lifeless in Iten, a renowned running center. In 2021, Agnes Tirop, a celebrated Kenyan runner, was found stabbed to death at her home. Her estranged husband is currently facing trial for her murder.
The recent statistics from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics paint a grim picture. A staggering 34 percent of women in Kenya have reported experiencing physical violence since the age of 15. These incidents highlight the urgent need for stronger measures to address domestic violence and protect women in Kenya.
