Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympian, died in Kenya on Thursday, four days after being set on fire by her lover, according to medics and Ugandan sporting officials.
It was the most recent tragic case of gender-based violence in the East African country, where activists have warned of a femicide epidemic.
“We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei… following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” the president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, Donald Rukare, said in a post on X.
We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a… pic.twitter.com/V8Mog3oMOX
— Donald Rukare (@drukare) September 5, 2024
“This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”
According to police, a man identified as Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, doused her with petrol and set her alight on Sunday at her home in Endebess in the western county of Trans-Nzoia.
The incident took place just weeks after Cheptegei, 33, had taken part in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she was placed 44th.
Cheptegei suffered burns to 80% of her body in the attack, the acting head of the facility where she was being treated told reporters on Tuesday.
A nurse who had been treating Cheptegei said she died at 5am (2am GMT).
A medical counsellor at the hospital had said on Wednesday that Cheptegei’s condition had worsened and that she had developed a sepsis infection.
‘Call for justice’
Tributes poured in for the athlete.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning, who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the Uganda Athletics Federation said on X.
“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”
The Kenya National Olympic Committee said on X it extended its “deepest condolences” to the Ugandan sports community, family, and friends of Cheptegei.
“Rebecca’s talent and perseverance as Uganda’s Women’s Marathon record holder and a Paris 2024 Olympian will always be remembered and celebrated,” it said.
On behalf of #TeamKenya we extend our deepest condolences to the Ugandan sports community, family, and friends of Rebecca Cheptegei.
Rebecca’s talent, and perseverance as Uganda’s Women’s Marathon record holder and a Paris 2024 Olympian will always be remembered and celebrated.… pic.twitter.com/k3hNYB9WOP
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) September 5, 2024
“Her untimely and tragic passing is a profound loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time as we honor her legacy and advocate for an end to gender-based violence.”
Police said Marangach had sneaked into Cheptegei’s home on Sunday afternoon while she was at church with her children.
She lived with her sister and her two daughters in Endebess, an area near the border with Uganda, her father Joseph Cheptegei had told the Kenyan media.
‘I cried for help’
The Standard newspaper reported that Cheptegei’s daughters had witnessed the grisly assault.
“He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother,” it reported one of the girls as saying.
“I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible,” said the girl, who has not been named.
Marangach was also hurt in the incident, suffering 30% burns to his body. His current state is unknown.
According to police, they were a couple that “constantly had family wrangles”.
The attack on Cheptegei has once again highlighted domestic violence in Kenya.
Njeri Wa Migwi, a feminist activist who formed Usikimye, an organization that combats gender-based violence, stated of her death, “Yes, this is femicide.” “We must put an end to Femicide.”
The assault came two years after Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua was discovered dead in Iten, a world-famous running destination in the Rift Valley.
Agnes Tirop, 25, a record-breaking Kenyan runner, was found stabbed to death at her house in Iten in 2021. Her estranged spouse is on trial for her murder, but has rejected the charges.
According to the most recent numbers from Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics, published in January 2023, 34% of women in the country had suffered physical assault since the age of 15.