Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically passed away, mere days after being set ablaze by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema. The incident has shocked the sports community and beyond, marking a devastating turn of events for the talented runner who had recently competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Rebecca Cheptegei, who was based in Kenya at the time of her death, represented Uganda in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th. Her promising career was cut short in the most horrific manner.
According to authorities, the tragic incident occurred at Cheptegei’s home in Western Trans Nzoia County, Nairobi, on Sunday. It is alleged that during a domestic dispute, Ndiema doused Cheptegei in petrol and ignited it, causing severe burns that covered 75% of her body. The severity of her injuries highlights the brutality of the attack and the intense suffering she endured.
Ndiema also sustained burn injuries in the attack and is currently receiving specialized treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. The circumstances surrounding the incident point to a conflict over land ownership. Cheptegei’s parents have revealed that she had recently purchased the land in question to be closer to renowned athletic training centers in the region, suggesting that the land dispute may have been a contributing factor to the violent confrontation.
Rebecca Cheptegei’s death is a stark reminder of the violence that can emerge from personal disputes. It echoes the tragedy of Kenya’s Agnes Tirop, who was murdered in 2021, also by a partner, in a similar act of violence. Both cases reflect the alarming issue of domestic violence within the athletic community and beyond.