Uganda Rebecca Cheptegei Dies: Athlete Succumbs to Burns from Brutal Attack
A Tragic Loss in Ugandan Athletics
Rebecca Cheptegei, a promising Ugandan Olympic athlete, died in a Kenyan hospital after a horrific attack. The 33-year-old runner suffered burns on 80% of her body, leading to her untimely death.
The incident occurred at Cheptegei’s home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya.
Local police reported that her partner, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly doused her with petrol and set her on fire during an argument. Ndiema also sustained burns in the attack and was treated at the same medical facility.
Cheptegei’s death has sent shockwaves through the athletic community.
The Uganda Athletics Federation expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their talented runner.
Peter Ogwang, Uganda’s minister of state for sports, confirmed that Kenyan authorities are investigating the case.
This tragedy highlights the ongoing issue of violence against women in East Africa. Recent statistics paint a grim picture:
- 34% of Kenyan women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence
- 41% of married women in Kenya have faced violence
- African countries reported the highest number of women killed relative to population size in 2022
Cheptegei’s death echoes another recent loss in the running world. In 2021, Kenyan Olympian Agnes Tirop was found dead in her home with stab wounds. Her husband faces murder charges in an ongoing case.
The athletics community has rallied in response to these tragedies.
‘Tirop’s Angels’, a nonprofit founded by fellow athletes, aims to combat domestic violence.
Joan Chelimo, one of the founders, warns that female athletes often face exploitation due to their success.
Key points in the Cheptegei case:
- Attack occurred during a property dispute
- Partner allegedly used petrol to start the fire
- Cheptegei was treated at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret
- She sustained burns on 80% of her body