Courtesy: AIPS website
Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei dies days after being ’set on fire by boyfriend’ – AIPS Media
LAUSANNE, September 5, 2024 – A tragic murder, Ugandan distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who represented her country at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has tragically passed away after suffering critical injuries in a brutal attack by her boyfriend. Cheptegei, who was admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret with burns covering 75% of her body, succumbed to her injuries early this morning, according to medical officials.
Donald Rukare, president of the Ugandan Olympic Committee, announced the news on X. ” We 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 led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.” on @official_UOC.
TRAGIC LOSS The 1991-year-old athlete, who finished 44th in the Olympic marathon, was set on fire by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, in her residence in Trans Nzoia County, western Kenya. The attack took place on Sunday, September 1, 2024, following a domestic dispute. Marangach reportedly doused her with petrol and set her ablaze.
Cheptegei and Marangach, who also sustained burns in the incident, were rescued by neighbours and rushed to Kitale County Referral Hospital before being transferred to the Eldoret facility. Despite the medical team’s efforts, the severe burns proved fatal for the Olympian.
INVESTIGATION ONGOING Police reports indicate that Marangach gained access to Cheptegei’s home while she and her children were at church. Authorities recovered evidence at the scene, including a five-litre jerry can and a burnt mobile phone, both believed to have been used in the attack.
Marangach is currently under police custody at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries. A full investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities considering charges of murder and domestic violence.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Cheptegei’s death has sent shockwaves through both Uganda and Kenya, bringing renewed attention to the growing epidemic of gender-based violence (GBV) in the region. Her tragic fate echoes the stories of other female athletes who have suffered violence at the hands of intimate partners.
In 2021, world record-holding Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in her home in Iten, with her estranged husband charged with her murder. Tirop’s case sparked national protests calling for greater protection of women and stricter punishment for perpetrators of GBV.
In 2022, another high-profile athlete, Damaris Muthee Mutua, a Kenyan-born Bahraini runner, was found strangled to death in Iten, allegedly killed by her Ethiopian boyfriend.
CALL FOR JUSTICE AND ACTION The sports community and women’s rights advocates have expressed outrage over Cheptegei’s death, demanding justice and action to address the continuing cycle of femicide in East Africa. Kenyan authorities have been urged to strengthen efforts to combat GBV and provide more support for victims.
Rebecca Cheptegei was not only a rising star in athletics but also a mother, whose life was cut short by an act of violence that has left her family and community devastated. As investigations continue, her death serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for action to protect women from domestic abuse and violence.
PROMISING CAREER CUT SHORT Cheptegei had a promising athletic career, representing Uganda at various international events, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her perseverance and dedication made her a role model to many aspiring athletes in Uganda and beyond. Her untimely death has cast a shadow over the sports world, with tributes pouring in from fellow athletes, fans, and officials across the globe.
Ugandan athletics officials have expressed their sorrow, calling her death a “great loss” to the nation and the world of distance running.
PC-AIPS Media
