Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei tragically passed away after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend in a violent incident in north-west Kenya. The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, suffered extensive burns following the attack on Sunday. According to local authorities, she was assaulted after returning home from church with her two daughters. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of his supportive daughter, while fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa recalled her generosity towards other runners.
The altercation reportedly stemmed from a dispute between Cheptegei and her former partner over a piece of land. Local police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Cheptegei had moved to Trans Nzoia County in Kenya to be near top athletic training facilities. The rise in violence against women in Kenya has raised significant concerns, with a national survey indicating that more than a third of women have experienced physical violence. Kenya’s Sports Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, underscored the urgent need to address gender-based violence, calling the incident a tragic reminder of the issue.
Cheptegei’s father urged the Kenyan government to seek justice for his daughter, lamenting the loss of their family’s breadwinner and expressing concern for her children’s future education. Dr. Kimani Mbugua from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital confirmed that Cheptegei’s severe burn injuries resulted in multi-organ failure, leading to her death early in the morning. Kirwa, who trained with Cheptegei, shared her kindness, recalling how she supported fellow athletes financially and even gifted him training shoes.
The Uganda Athletics Federation condemned the act, stating the need for justice for Cheptegei, who became a victim of domestic violence. British Olympian Eilish McColgan expressed heartbreak over the incident, noting that this is not the first time the athletic community has lost a talented female athlete to such violence. Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend was also hospitalized with less severe burns, and his condition is reportedly stable.
Leaders from Uganda and the international community have reacted, emphasizing the need for justice and mourning Cheptegei’s loss. Her passing adds to a troubling trend, following the murders of other East African athletes like Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, whose partners were identified as main suspects. Kenyan athlete Joan Chelimo, involved in advocacy against gender-based violence, asserted the need to unite and raise awareness to create safer environments for women.
Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics and previously won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand in 2022. Her death has deeply affected both the Ugandan and Kenyan athletic communities, with fellow athletes sharing their pain and shock.