Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympic athlete, tragically died after being set on fire by her former boyfriend, who later succumbed to burns sustained during the attack. The horrifying incident, which took place in north-west Kenya, has shocked the sports community and highlighted the growing issue of violence against women in the region.
Cheptegei, 33, was ambushed by her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, as she returned home from church more than a week ago. Ndiema, reportedly in conflict with Cheptegei over a small piece of land, doused her with petrol and set her ablaze. Neighbors reported hearing screams and saw Cheptegei running toward them, pleading for help.
Both Cheptegei and Ndiema were rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. Cheptegei, suffering from 80% burns, succumbed to her injuries last Thursday. Ndiema, who had been admitted to the intensive care unit with burns covering more than 30% of his body, died on Monday night. Dr. Owen Menach, a hospital official, confirmed Ndiema’s death, stating, “It’s true he has died from the [burn] injuries.”
Local administrators indicated that the two had been embroiled in a dispute over land, which had intensified before the fatal attack. Police were treating Cheptegei’s death as murder, with Ndiema named as the primary suspect before his passing.
Cheptegei’s death marks the third case in three years where an athlete has been killed in Kenya, with intimate partners identified as the main suspects. This tragic trend has cast a shadow over the sports community, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of female athletes.
Born on the Kenyan side of the Kenya-Uganda border, Cheptegei moved to Uganda to pursue her athletics career after failing to find a breakthrough in Kenya. She joined the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in 2008, rising to the rank of sergeant. Her athletic journey reached its peak this year when she competed in the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th in the marathon. Despite not winning a medal, she was celebrated as a “champion” in her hometown.
Cheptegei’s life and career were tragically cut short just as she was beginning to make her mark on the international stage. She is set to be buried on Saturday at her ancestral home in Bukwo, Uganda.
The tragic death of Rebecca Cheptegei underscores the rising concern over violence against women in Kenya. A national survey in 2022 revealed that at least 34% of women in Kenya had experienced physical violence. The recent spate of attacks on female athletes, including Cheptegei, has sparked outrage and calls for more robust protective measures for women across the region.
As the community mourns the loss of an athlete who was more than just a competitor, but a source of inspiration, the tragic circumstances of her death have become a stark reminder of the need to address the broader issues of gender-based violence and insecurity affecting women in Kenya and beyond.
