Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei has died in Kenya, four days after her boyfriend set her on fire, Ugandan athletics officials said Thursday. The 33-year-old marathon runner-who competed in the Paris Olympics just weeks ago-suffered severe burns in the attack at her home in Endebess, Kenya.
According to eyewitnesses, Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach allegedly doused her with petrol and set her alight. Cheptegei was said to be battling for life at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital with 80 percent burns. She later died due to failure of her organs.
The Uganda Olympic Committee showed its “shock and sadness” and condemned it as a “cowardly and senseless act” that cost the life of this great athlete. Also, the Uganda Athletics Federation condemned the violence and called on the law to take up the case on behalf of Cheptegei.
The attack was reportedly witnessed by one of Cheptegei’s daughters, who tried to intervene but was kicked by the attacker. Marangach is also still under investigation due to infliction of burns during the incident.
Cheptegei’s death brought to the fore the ever-present presence of domestic violence, which has claimed a number of female athletes’ lives in Kenya, including Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, in the last couple of years.
