Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympian, is in critical condition in a Kenyan hospital after suffering severe burns in a horrific attack allegedly carried out by her partner.
The 33-year-old long-distance runner, who recently competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, was set on fire after being doused with petrol by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, at her home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County.
The assault took place on Sunday afternoon while Cheptegei’s children were at church. Marangach reportedly snuck into the house, poured petrol on Cheptegei, and ignited the fire. Neighbors responded quickly, extinguishing the flames and rushing both Cheptegei and Marangach to a local hospital.
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They were later transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where Cheptegei was admitted to the intensive care unit with burns covering more than 80 percent of her body. The burns were so severe that some reached her muscles, according to hospital officials. Marangach also suffered burns, though less extensive, covering 30 percent of his body.
This tragic event has brought attention to the persistent issue of gender-based violence in East Africa. Rebecca Cheptegei and Marangach were reportedly involved in frequent domestic disputes, and the incident has sparked widespread condemnation. Donald Rukare, president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, decried the attack, urging a collective stand against violence, particularly towards women.
The attack on Rebecca Cheptegei echoes similar tragic incidents in the region, including the recent deaths of other female athletes in Kenya. Damaris Mutua, a Kenyan-born athlete, was found dead in 2022, and in 2021, record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop was murdered in Iten, a town known for producing elite runners. Tirop’s estranged husband is currently on trial for her murder.
These incidents highlight the broader issue of violence against women in the region. A report by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 34 percent of women in Kenya have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, with married women being particularly vulnerable. The attack on Cheptegei underscores the urgent need to address this pervasive problem and protect women from such brutal acts.
As Rebecca Cheptegei remains in critical condition, her story serves as a somber reminder of the dangers many women face and the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence.
