Rebecca Cheptegei, an Olympic athlete from Uganda, has passed away at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated for severe burns. She sustained 80% burns on her body following an attack by her partner. Owen Menach, a spokesperson at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, confirmed her death on Thursday.
Cheptegei was a distance runner who finished 44th in the women's marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom said Monday that Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday. Ndiema was also burned, and was being treated at the same hospital" quoted AP.
Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter brought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county’s many athletic training centres.
"All her organs failed last night," a medical professional at MTRH reported to AFP on Thursday.
A report filed by the local chief states that the couple was heard fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire started.
The Uganda Athletics Federation echoed the sentiments of the Olympic Committee in their statement on X. "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence," read their message. "As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace."
Kenyan media reported further details from one of Cheptegei's daughters, who witnessed the assault. "He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother," she said, according to Kenya's The Standard. "I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible," the daughter, whose name has not been disclosed, added.
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