A Ugandan athlete residing in Kenya, Rebecca Cheptegei, was brutally attacked by her boyfriend who set her on fire. She is currently undergoing treatment for severe burns that affect 75% of her body, according to police reports.
Cheptegei, a distance runner who represented Uganda in the Paris Olympics and finished in 44th place, was attacked in her home in western Trans Nzoia County. As of Tuesday, she remains in critical condition.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom stated that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly poured petrol on her and ignited it during a dispute on Sunday.
Medical personnel at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital reported her condition included serious facial burns and multiple bandages, although they remained anonymous due to media restrictions.
There was no mention in the police report regarding the safety of Cheptegei’s children during the incident.
Ndiema also suffered burn injuries and both individuals are receiving specialized care at the hospital in Eldoret.
Cheptegei’s parents noted that she purchased land in Trans Nzoia to be close to the area’s numerous athletic training facilities. A report from the local chief indicated that the couple had been arguing over the land before the fire occurred.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation expressed sorrow over the incident, confirming that Cheptegei has sustained grave injuries and is hospitalized. They issued a statement on social media detailing the assault by her boyfriend.
This violent event highlights an ongoing issue of gender-based violence in Kenya. A January 2023 report by the Kenyan Bureau of National Statistics revealed that 34% of women in the country have experienced physical violence since turning 15. The report indicated that married women are significantly more likely to have faced such violence, with 41% reporting incidents compared to 20% of unmarried women.
Cheptegei’s assault follows a troubling trend in the region, including the 2022 murder of Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua in Iten, and the 2021 murder of record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop, whose estranged husband is currently on trial for her death.