Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei’s tragic death has once again brought to light the dark reality faced by many female athletes in Kenya and Uganda. In a shocking turn of events, Cheptegei, just 33 years old, was allegedly doused in petrol and set alight by her former partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach. She died from her injuries, and her burial on Saturday was a somber affair, receiving full military honours in Uganda’s northeast.
Why It Matters
Her story is one of both triumph and tragedy. Cheptegei had just returned from running in the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th in the marathon. It was meant to be a moment of pride, but little did anyone know, it would be her final race. Three weeks later, her life was brutally cut short in an incident that leaves us questioning the safety of women, particularly those in the public eye.
The facts of the case are chilling. Cheptegei, after attending church with her two daughters and younger sister, was reportedly attacked by Marangach. This wasn’t the first time she had been threatened; she had gone to the police three times, the most recent being just two days before the alleged attack. Yet, the authorities failed to act, leaving her vulnerable to the heinous act that led to her suffering burns to 80% of her body. She succumbed to her injuries four days later, leaving behind a family, a community, and a country in mourning.
Her final words to her father, as she lay in her hospital bed, were heartbreaking: “I don’t think I am going to make it. If I die, just bury me at home in Uganda.” And so they did, as hundreds of mourners, including fellow Olympians, gathered to say their goodbyes. Amid the tributes and speeches, Cheptegei was remembered as a hero, a mother, a sister, and an athlete who defied the odds to reach international glory.
What They Are saying
But let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Violence against women is rampant, not just in Kenya, but across the globe. Cheptegei is not the first elite athlete to be killed by a romantic partner. In fact, she’s the third since 2021. The statistics are alarming: one in three Kenyan women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced physical violence. And female athletes, whose prize money attracts attention, are particularly vulnerable to abuse. Rights groups have been shouting this from the rooftops, but where’s the action?
Cheptegei’s death should be a wake-up call. This is a woman who rose from humble beginnings in eastern Uganda to become a national hero, winning championships and setting records. She was someone who had earned the admiration of not just her country but the world. Yet, in the end, her success couldn’t shield her from the violence lurking in her personal life.
And what of Marangach, the man responsible for this unspeakable act? Well, he’s dead too, having succumbed to burns he sustained during the attack. For some, this may seem like poetic justice. But others, like marathoner Viola Cheptoo, co-founder of Tirop’s Angels, a support group for athletes facing domestic violence, believe otherwise. “Justice really would have been for him to sit in jail and think about what he had done,” she said, pointing out the lack of true accountability.
As if this tragedy weren’t enough, the global athletic community remains divided. Some choose to focus on Cheptegei’s inspiring career, while others are left grappling with how such violence could continue unchecked. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, amid the sorrow, there’s hope that Cheptegei’s name will live on, not just as a victim, but as a symbol of resilience. In Paris, plans are already underway to name a sports facility after her, a fitting tribute to the woman who “dazzled us here in Paris,” as the city’s mayor, Anne Hidalgo, remarked.
But tributes, while touching, do little to address the systemic issues that allow such violence to persist. Cheptegei’s story is a painful reminder of the very sad reality many women face, even those who have reached the highest echelons of success. And unless something changes, she won’t be the last.
Bottom Line
So here we are again, mourning another bright star extinguished too soon. Will this finally be the catalyst for change? Or will we keep burying our heads in the sand, waiting for the next tragedy to unfold?
