A Ugandan athlete residing in Kenya, Rebecca Cheptegei, has been brutally attacked and set on fire by her boyfriend, leaving her with severe burns covering 75% of her body, according to police reports. The incident occurred in her home located in Trans Nzoia County, where she was found in critical condition.
Cheptegei, a distance runner who competed in the recent 2024 Paris Olympics, was reportedly assaulted during an argument when her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, poured petrol on her and ignited it. Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom disclosed that the attack took place on a Sunday evening.
Medical staff at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where both Cheptegei and Ndiema are being treated, stated that Cheptegei has suffered serious facial burns and is being monitored closely. The police report does not clarify whether Cheptegei’s children were present during the incident.
Cheptegei’s parents revealed that she had purchased land in Trans Nzoia to be closer to athletic training facilities. A local chief reported that the couple was overheard arguing about the land prior to the attack.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation expressed sorrow over Cheptegei’s injuries and confirmed her hospitalization, condemning the violence she endured.
This incident highlights a growing concern regarding gender-based violence in Kenya. A report from the Kenyan Bureau of National Statistics indicated that 34% of women in Kenya have experienced physical violence since they turned 15, with married women being significantly more likely to be victims compared to their unmarried counterparts.
This attack echoes previous tragic instances of violence against female athletes in the country, including the recent murders of Kenyan-born Damaris Mutua and record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop, which raises alarming questions about women’s safety in sports and society at large.