Rebecca Cheptegei, a celebrated Ugandan Olympic athlete, has tragically passed away at a Kenyan hospital following a brutal assault by her partner. The 33-year-old runner, who had achieved acclaim on the international stage, suffered severe burns—reportedly covering 80% of her body—from an attack on Sunday. Despite receiving medical care at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries on Thursday.
Details of the Attack
According to Trans-Nzoia County’s police chief, Jeremiah ole Kosiom, the violent episode took place outside the couple’s residence. Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly doused her in petrol and ignited it during a heated argument. Ndiema himself was injured in the fire and is currently hospitalized alongside Cheptegei.
Cheptegei had previously reported Ndiema to the authorities for domestic abuse. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, disclosed that the violence had been ongoing. On the day of the attack, Rebecca was returning from church with her children when Ndiema confronted her with a machete and petrol. Despite attempts by neighbors to extinguish the flames and provide aid, Cheptegei’s injuries proved fatal.
Cheptegei’s death adds to a troubling pattern of violence against female athletes in Kenya. This follows the 2021 murder of Kenyan runner Agnes Jebet Tirop by her husband and the 2022 strangulation of Damaris Muthee Mutua, with her boyfriend fleeing and remaining at large.
Rebecca Cheptegei’s Achievements
Rebecca Cheptegei was a distinguished Ugandan long-distance runner and an officer with the Ugandan People’s Defence Force. She began her athletic career in 2010, initially excelling in middle-distance events, including a notable victory in the 1500m at the München Pfingstmeeting.
Cheptegei later achieved success in long-distance running, winning the 10,000m race in Kampala and the 10km race at Santa Pola in 2014. Her marathon career took off with a win at the Padova Marathon in 2022, and she achieved her best marathon time of 2:22:47 at the Abu Dhabi Marathon, ranking as the second-fastest female Ugandan marathoner.
In November 2023, she finished third at the Firenze Marathon and made her Olympic debut in Paris in 2024, where she placed 44th. Cheptegei’s career was marked by dedication and significant achievements in international competitions.