Long-distance Ugandan track athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has reportedly succumbed at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. This comes days after she was doused in petrol by her estranged lover, suffering 80% body burns.
This is the latest shocking case of gender-based violence in Kenya, where activists have been tirelessly campaigning this year to end the femicide epidemic.
Police reports reveal that Cheptegei’s lover, Dickson Ndiema Marangach set her alight on Sunday at her home in Endebess, western Trans-Nzoia. It is alleged that the pair were fighting over the ownership of a piece of land that their house was built upon.
Cheptegei’s parents stated that Cheptegei had bought the land as she wished to be near the athletes’ training centre. Police recovered a 5-litre jerrican of petrol and a mobile phone, thought to belong to the deceased’s boyfriend, at the crime scene.
Her father shared that the athlete lived with her sister and two daughters in Endebess. Authorities claim that the man snuck into Cheptegei’s home on Sunday while she was at church with her children.
Police said Marangach had sneaked into Cheptegei’s home on Sunday afternoon while she was at church with her children. A local newspaper reported that Cheptegei’s daughters had witnessed the grisly assault.
“He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother,” said one of the girls.
“I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible.”
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Her death follows just weeks after the 33-year-old athlete graced the Olympics world stage and finished in 48th place.
A nurse attending to Cheptegei at the MTRH said she died at 5:00 am as most of her organs failed. A medical counsellor revealed that her condition worsened and she subsequently developed a sepsis infection.
Since her death was confirmed, tributes to the athlete have been pouring in.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning, who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the Uganda Athletics Federation said on X.