Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, has sadly died after being attacked by an ex-boyfriend.
As we previously shared, He poured petrol on her and set her on fire, causing serious burns in the incident that took place on Sunday. Authorities in north-west Kenya, where Cheptegei resided and trained, reported that she was attacked after coming home from church with her two daughters. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his grief over losing a daughter who was very supportive. Fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa spoke to the BBC about her kindness, highlighting how she had provided financial assistance to other runners.
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A local administrator reported that Cheptegei and her ex-boyfriend had been in a dispute over a piece of land. Authorities have confirmed that an investigation is currently ongoing. Originally from a region just across the border in Uganda, Cheptegei had purchased a plot of land in Trans Nzoia County and built a house to be close to Kenya’s top athletics training facilities.
Violence against women has emerged as a significant issue in Kenya. A national survey conducted in 2022 revealed that at least 34% of women reported experiencing physical violence. “This tragedy highlights the critical need to address gender-based violence, which is increasingly impacting even top athletes,” stated Kenya’s Sports Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen.
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Speaking to reporters outside the hospital where she was receiving care, Mr. Cheptegei urged the Kenyan government to ensure that justice is served following his daughter’s tragic death.
“We have lost our breadwinner,” he added and wondered how her two children, aged 12 and 13, would “proceed with their education.”