Nairobi (Kenya): In a shocking development, a Ugandan athlete has died at a hospital in Eldoret where she was admitted after sustaining 80 per cent burns on her body due to a petrol attack by her partner.
Rebecca Cheptegei, an Olympian, breathed her last on Thursday, a spokesperson at the hospital, Owen Menach, confirmed. Cheptegei was being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.
According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander, Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerrican of petrol, doused her and set her ablaze during a quarrel on Sunday. Ndiema was also burned during the incident and was being treated at the same hospital.
The dispute was reportedly over a piece of land that Cheptegei’s parents said, their daughter bought in Trans Nzoia to be near the county’s many athletic training centres.
The couple were reportedly fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire began.
Cheptegei, 33, was a long-distance runner and competed at the Paris Olympics 2024 just three weeks ago. She finished 44th in the long-distance running event.
Another horrific incident in Kenya
The East African nation is infamous for gender-based violence and the latest incident adds another dark chapter in their violent history.
There have been several reported and unreported cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya and many have even resulted in death. Cheptegei, after being attacked brutally by her partner, was rescued by her neighbours with the attacker also suffering serious burns.
The victim and the attacker were admitted to the Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret, which is the main town in the region. Cheptegei was shifted to intensive care unit (ICU) on Monday.
Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, was a long-distance runner and competed at the Paris Olympics 2024 just three weeks ago. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
