Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died after being doused in petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend, over an alleged land dispute.
The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, had suffered extensive burns after Sunday’s attack.
The authorities in north-west Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained, said she was targeted after returning home from church.
A report filed by a local administrator alleged the athlete and her partner had been wrangling over a piece of land. Police say an investigation is under way.
There are concerns about the increasing cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya, several of whom have been killed in recent years.
Speaking to journalists outside the hospital where she had been treated, her father, Joseph Cheptegei, said that he had lost a daughter who was “very supportive”, adding that he had never seen such an inhumane act in his life. and asked the Kenyan government to ensure justice is done.
The head of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Owen Menach, told local media that the athlete had died after all her organs failed.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace,” Uganda’s athletics federation said in a post on X.
Owen Menach, the head of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she had been admitted, told local media that the athlete had died after all her organs failed.
Cheptegei’s former boyfriend was also admitted to the hospital – but with less severe burns. He is still in intensive care but his condition was “improving and stable”, Dr Menach said.
“According to local authorities, the couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,”.
e of land in Trans Nzoia County and built a house, to be near Kenya’s many athletic training centres.
Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the recent Paris Olympics.
According to the Paris Olympics website, she also won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.
Her death comes two years after the killings of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, with their partners identified as the main suspects in both cases by the authorities.
Tirop’s husband is currently facing murder charges, which he denies, while a hunt for Mutua’s boyfriend continues.
