Paris Olympics Competitor Set On Fire By Her Boyfriend
A Ugandan Olympian who competed in this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris has succumbed to wounds that the athlete sustained after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend. Rebecca Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the women’s marathon event, suffered the attack at her home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The 33-year-old was revealed to have had 75 percent of her body burned in a horrific act of domestic violence.
At least one of Rebecca Cheptegei’s children was home during the attack and is said to have witnessed it.
Jeremiah ole Kosiom, who serves as the Trans Nzoia police commander, made a statement to the media shortly after the attack. The official stated that Rebecca Cheptegei was doused with gasoline by Dickson Ndiema, her ex-boyfriend.
The two had an argument over property that culminated in Ndiema leaving the house, allegedly returning with a can of the flammable fluid and setting her ablaze. The property in question has been reported to be in Trans Nzoia and was secured by Cheptegei in order for her to be close to the athletic training facilities erected in Kenya.
At least one of Rebecca Cheptegei’s children was home during the attack and is said to have witnessed it.
Ndiema also suffered burns from the attack and was last reported to have been undergoing treatment at a local hospital in nearby Eldoret. At this time, it is not clear if he has been charged with any crimes.
Heartfelt condolences have been pouring out from all corners of the globe at the news of Rebecca Cheptegei’s death. Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenya’s sports minister, stated that the Olympic star’s death was a “loss to Uganda” and to the entire region.
At this time, it is not clear if Dickson Ndiema has been charged with any crimes.
Murkomen’s Ugandan counterpart, Peter Ogwang, echoed that sentiment and maintained that the situation is being thoroughly investigated by officials in Kenya.
Rebecca Cheptegei was reported to have suffered from multiple organ failure days after her assault. This was confirmed by a medical official from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, the facility that administered the athlete treatment.
There is some speculation that the attack on Rebecca Cheptegei could have been averted altogether had police officials taken previous reports of Ndiema’s physical abuse more seriously.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, told members of the media in an interview that his daughter’s death was due to “negligence by the government,” for not acting when Ndiema was first reported by Cheptegei and her family.
Amnesty International says that Cheptegei’s murder “highlights the urgent need to address femicide” in Uganda.
Sadly, the murder of Rebecca Cheptegei is not a statistical outlier in the world of Olympic stars hailing from the African continent. In 2021, a Kenyan runner named Agnes Tirop was murdered in her home at the hands of her husband, Ibrahim Rotich.
She was found with multiple stab wounds in her neck, prompting officials to charge her husband with her death.
Later that year, another Kenyan athlete was discovered strangled to death by her boyfriend. Damaris Mutua was a rising star whose life was cut short at the age of 28.
Rebecca Cheptegei’s death, along with the murders of Mutua and Tirop, have garnered plenty of media coverage as well as attention from Amnesty International. The peace agency was quoted regarding Cheptegei’s slaying, stating that her murder “highlights the urgent need to address femicide” in Uganda.
