Ugandan Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Brutal Attack in Kenya

Ugandan long-distance athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away following a brutal attack that left her with severe burns. The 33-year-old marathon runner died on Thursday at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya, where she had been battling for her life after sustaining 80% burn injuries.
The tragedy unfolded on Sunday when Cheptegei was allegedly attacked by her estranged boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, who doused her in petrol and set her on fire. The incident occurred at her home in Endebess, Trans Nzoia County, in western Kenya, where she had been training. Both Cheptegei and Ndiema sustained burns during the attack, with Ndiema reportedly suffering 30% burns. The pair were immediately rushed to MTRH for specialized treatment. However, despite medical efforts, Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries after multiple organ failure.
Local authorities and residents reported that the altercation stemmed from a dispute over the ownership of a piece of land where Cheptegei had built her house. According to Trans Nzoia Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Koisiom, Ndiema purchased a jerrican of petrol, poured it over Cheptegei, and set her ablaze during a quarrel. The local area chief mentioned overhearing arguments about the land, which Cheptegei's parents confirmed she had bought to be near athletic training centers in the region.
Uganda's Athletics Federation condemned the attack in a statement earlier this week, confirming that the athlete had sustained severe injuries. "We regret to announce that our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics, has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret," the federation stated. They further expressed their sorrow over the violence and called for justice for Cheptegei.
The Trans Nzoia police launched an investigation immediately after the attack. Law enforcement officers recovered a five-liter jerrican containing petrol and a mobile phone believed to belong to Ndiema at the scene. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives working to gather evidence and statements from witnesses. Upon completion, Ndiema is expected to face charges in court.
Cheptegei's death is the latest in a series of violent incidents against female athletes in East Africa. In 2022, Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee, originally from Kenya, was found dead in Iten, with a post-mortem indicating strangulation. Months earlier, Kenyan long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same town. In both cases, the victims' partners were identified as primary suspects. In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat was also found dead with stab wounds. These tragic incidents have raised concerns about the safety of female athletes in the region.
Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, had been a respected figure in the athletic community. She won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022. Her passing has left the sporting community in shock and mourning.