The Paris Paralympics paid a moving tribute to Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically passed away after being set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya. Cheptegei’s image appeared on a giant screen during the marathon events on Sunday, prompting applause from spectators. The 33-year-old athlete, who participated in the Paris Olympics marathon, suffered burns to over 75% of her body in the attack. Her death marks the third instance of a prominent sportswoman being killed in Kenya since October 2021, highlighting a deeply troubling trend.
In a poignant gesture, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo announced that the city would honor Cheptegei by naming a sports facility in her memory. During a press conference on Friday, Hidalgo stated, “An emotional thought for Rebecca Cheptegei. We saw her, her beauty, her strength, her freedom. Paris will not forget her, and we will dedicate a sports venue to her so that her memory and her story will be present among us.”
This tragic incident underscores the pervasive issue of violence against women in Kenya. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, a staggering 41% of dating or married Kenyan women have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of their current or most recent partner. This grim statistic underscores the need for greater awareness, support, and action to address this critical social problem.
