The Uganda Athletics Federation has expressed profound sorrow over the death of athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who fell victim to domestic violence early this morning. The federation condemned the violence and called for justice, wishing her soul peace.
Cheptegei, aged 33 and residing in Kenya, had been in a critical state due to severe burns covering 75% of her body from an attack at her home in western Trans Nzoia County. The Kenyan Olympic Team also confirmed her death on X.
Cheptegei had recently placed 44th in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), expressed that her Olympic participation was a source of inspiration and was deeply shocked by her death and the violent attack.
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has passed on at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret where she was admitted to the ICU.
She sustained burn injuries after her alleged boyfriend poured petrol on her and set it ablaze. pic.twitter.com/Wp58at3aGD
— Kenyan Report (@Kenyan_Report) September 5, 2024
Police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom revealed that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, attacked her with gasoline after a dispute over land. Ndiema, who also suffered burns, is hospitalized in Eldoret.
A medical official reported that Cheptegei experienced multi-organ failure before her death. Her mother, Agnes, described her as a “good child,” while her father, Joseph, criticized the Kenyan government and police for not addressing earlier complaints about Ndiema’s behavior.
STATEMENT ON THE PASSING ON OF UGANDAN ATHLETE REBECCA CHEPTEGEI pic.twitter.com/Y38SCHnnsN
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) September 5, 2024
Uganda’s sports minister, Peter Ogwang, called Cheptegei’s death “tragic” and noted that Kenyan authorities are investigating. Kenyan sports minister Kipchumba Murkomen mourned her loss as significant to the entire region.
Cheptegei’s death is the third high-profile killing of a female athlete in Kenya in recent years. Agnes Tirop was murdered in 2021, and Damaris Mutua was found strangled in 2022. Murkomen emphasized the need to combat gender-based violence, and Amnesty International Kenya highlighted the urgent need to address femicide.