Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, has tragically passed away after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend.
The attack occurred in north-west Kenya, where she resided on Sunday. Cheptegei sustained severe burns and was admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, but despite efforts by medical staff, she succumbed to her injuries after organ failure.
The incident reportedly took place after Cheptegei returned home from church, and authorities have suggested that a land dispute with her EX was the motive behind the attack. The former boyfriend, also injured in the fire, was admitted to the hospital .
This is not the first incident of a disturbing trend of violence against female athletes in Kenya. Fellow athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua were both murdered in 2021and 2022 respectively with their partners as the main suspects.
Uganda’s athletics federation expressed their deep sorrow over Cheptegei’s death, condemning the act of domestic violence and calling for justice. Her family is yet to formally confirm her death, but her father, Joseph Cheptegei, has expressed his anguish and desire for justice, describing the attack as inhumane.
Cheptegei last competed in Paris, at the recently concluded Olympics games.
Comments are closed.