In a devastating turn of events, Uganda’s Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has succumbed to severe injuries sustained in a horrifying attack by her boyfriend. The 33-year-old athlete, who had represented Uganda in long-distance races including the Paris Olympics, passed away on Thursday morning after being set on fire in Kenya.
Cheptegei was critically injured when her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, allegedly poured petrol on her and ignited the flames at her home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County. The attack, which occurred on Sunday, resulted in Cheptegei suffering burns over 80 percent of her body. Despite medical efforts, she died from multiple organ failure just days later.
Uganda’s Olympic Committee President, Donald Rukare, expressed profound grief over the loss. “We have learnt of the sad passing of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” Rukare said in a statement on X. He denounced the act as “cowardly and senseless,” emphasizing the loss of a “great athlete” whose legacy will endure.
The assault has cast a grim spotlight on the troubling issue of domestic violence, particularly affecting female athletes in Kenya. Cheptegei’s death marks the third such tragic incident involving a female athlete in Kenya since October 2021. Prior cases include the murder of Kenyan-born Damaris Mutua in Iten and the stabbing of Agnes Tirop, a record-breaking runner, in 2021. Tirop’s estranged husband is currently on trial for her murder, which he denies.
Cheptegei had recently returned from the Paris Olympics, where she competed in the women’s marathon and finished 44th. According to reports, she had relocated to Trans-Nzoia to train and had built a home there. The motive behind the attack reportedly stemmed from a dispute over this property.
Kenyan authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The senior director of clinical services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Owen Menach, confirmed that a detailed report on Cheptegei’s death will be released soon.
This tragic event underscores a broader issue of domestic violence in Kenya. Recent data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics reveals that 43 percent of women and 35 percent of men believe spousal violence is justified under certain circumstances. Over 40 percent of married women in Kenya report experiencing either domestic violence or sexual abuse, reflecting global trends where women are overwhelmingly the victims of partner violence.
The rising number of such cases highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address domestic violence and protect vulnerable individuals. Cheptegei’s death not only marks a profound personal tragedy but also calls for a renewed focus on combating violence against women.
