Rebecca Cheptegei is seen taking part in the Discovery 10km road race in Kapchorwa, Uganda, on January 20, 2023.
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NAIROBI, Kenya — Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died in a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after suffering burns to 80% of her body in an attack by her partner. She was 33.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital spokesman Owen Menach confirmed Cheptegei’s death on Thursday. Menach said the long-distance runner died early in the morning after her organs failed. She was under general anesthesia when she was admitted to the hospital.
Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.
Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, told reporters at the hospital that he had lost a “very supportive” daughter and hoped to get justice.
Trans Nzoia District Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Monday that Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of petrol, poured it on her and set her on fire during an argument on Sunday. Ndiema also suffered burns and is being treated at the same hospital.
Menach said Ndiema remained in intensive care with burns over 30% of his body but was “improving and stable”.
Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter had bought land in Trans Nzoia to be close to several sports training centres in the county. A report filed by the local chief said the two were heard fighting over the land where her house was built before the attack.
The Uganda Athletics Federation paid tribute to Cheptegei on social media platform X, writing, “It is with great sadness that we 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 Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare called the attack “a cowardly and senseless act that resulted in the loss of a great athlete.”
In 2023, Ugandan Olympic and hurdler Benjamin Kiplagat was found stabbed to death. In 2022, Bahraini-Kenyan athlete Damaris Muthee was found dead and an autopsy report said she had been strangled. In 2021, long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death in her home. Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, was arrested and charged with murder, a case that is still under investigation.
