Marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei dies after petrol attack
Ms Cheptegei becomes the second Ugandan athlete to die following an attack in Kenya in eight months after Benjamin Kiplagat was stabbed to death by assailants in Eldoret last December.
Ugandan long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically succumbed to severe burn injuries sustained from last Sunday's petrol attack.
The athlete's death was announced on the X handle of Uganda Athletics Federation.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence," UAF said.
"As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace".
Ms Cheptegei becomes the second Ugandan athlete to die following an attack in Kenya in eight months after Benjamin Kiplagat was stabbed to death by assailants in Eldoret last December.
Ms Cheptegei, 33, was allegedly set on fire by her estranged boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, following a dispute.
The attack occurred in Trans Nzoia, Kenya, when Marangach reportedly doused her with petrol and set her ablaze upon her return from church.
She was returning from church with her two children when she was targeted.
Ms Cheptegei is said to have been rescued by neighbours after the incident that happened on Sunday at her home in the small town of Endebess.
She was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she succumbed to her injuries after battling for days in the ICU with 80% of her body severely burned.
Ms Cheptegei is said to have bought a piece of land in Trans Nzoia county and built a house, to be near Kenya's many athletic training centres.
The BBC reported earlier this week that a report filed by a local administrator said the two had been wrangling over the piece of land. Police say an investigation is under way.
Ms Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the recent Paris Olympics.
She also won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.
Her death has attracted widespread condemnation against gender based violence.
Many people have taken it to their social media handles to condemn acts of violence against women by their spouses.
We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a… pic.twitter.com/V8Mog3oMOX
— Donald Rukare (@drukare) September 5, 2024
Mr Donald Rukare, chairperson of National Council of Sports and president of Uganda Olympic Committee, said it was a "cowardly and senseless act" that has led to the loss of a great athlete.
"Her legacy will continue to endure," he said. "May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women."
Ms Cheptegei had a distinguished career in athletics, representing Uganda in various international events.
She recently competed in the women's marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing in 44th place.
Her career began in 2010, where she excelled in middle- and long-distance running. Notable highlights include a second-place finish in the Abu Dhabi Marathon in 2022 with a personal best of 2:22:47, marking her as one of Uganda's fastest female marathoners.
She also achieved victories in races like the Padova Marathon in Italy.
Kenya has experienced a few cases of tragic domestic violence-related deaths on athletes in recent times. In April 2022, another female runner, Damaris Mutua, was found strangled in a home with a pillow over her face in the Rift Valley town of Iten.
It came months after record-breaking long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same town.
In both cases, their partners have been identified by the authorities as the main suspects.
Ms Tirop's husband is currently facing murder charges, which he denies, while a search for Ms Mutua's boyfriend continues.
