Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, is fighting for her life in a Kenyan hospital after suffering severe burns in a horrific incident of gender-based violence. According to police reports, her Kenyan partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, allegedly doused her with petrol and set her ablaze on Sunday afternoon.
The incident occurred at Cheptegei’s home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County, while she and her children were attending church. Marangach reportedly snuck into the house and carried out the attack. Neighbors rushed to the scene and rescued the couple, who were then taken to Kitale County Referral Hospital with multiple burns.
Cheptegei’s condition is critical, with facial burns and bandages. She has been transferred to the intensive care unit at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). Marangach also sustained injuries in the incident.
The police report indicates that Cheptegei and Marangach were a couple with a history of domestic disputes. Local media reports suggest that Cheptegei had purchased land and built a house in Trans-Nzoia, near the Ugandan border.
Cheptegei, a long-distance runner, represented Uganda in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th. The Ugandan Athletics Federation expressed its shock and sadness over the incident, stating that Cheptegei had suffered severe injuries.
The assault on Cheptegei highlights the alarming prevalence of gender-based violence in Kenya. A report by the Kenyan Bureau of National Statistics found that 34% of women in the country have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Married women are particularly vulnerable, with 41% reporting incidents compared to 20% of unmarried women.
This incident follows the tragic deaths of other Kenyan athletes in recent years. In 2021, record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death at her home in Iten. Her estranged husband is currently on trial for her murder. In 2020, Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua was found dead in Iten.
The attack on Cheptegei has sent shockwaves through the sports community and beyond. It serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gender-based violence and protect women from harm.
