Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition in a Kenyan hospital after being allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire by her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach. The incident, reported to be a case of gender-based violence, occurred on Sunday in Endebess, a town in Kenya’s western Trans-Nzoia County.
According to police reports, Marangach gained access to Cheptegei’s home while she and her children were at church. He allegedly poured petrol on the athlete before setting her ablaze. Both Cheptegei and Marangach sustained severe burns and were initially taken to Kitale County Referral Hospital. They were later transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), where Cheptegei was admitted to the intensive care unit.
A staff member at MTRH, speaking anonymously, reported that Cheptegei’s condition is serious, with significant facial burns and bandages. The police report did not indicate if Cheptegei’s children were affected by the attack. Local media have reported that Cheptegei suffered burns covering 75 percent of her body, and her parents are traveling from Uganda to be with her.
Cheptegei, 33, is a long-distance runner who finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics. The Ugandan Athletics Federation has expressed deep regret over the incident, condemning the violence and noting Cheptegei’s severe injuries in a statement.
This attack highlights the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in Kenya. A report from the Kenyan Bureau of National Statistics published in January 2023 revealed that 34 percent of women in Kenya have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, with married women being more likely to report such violence.
The assault on Cheptegei follows a troubling pattern of violence against female athletes in Kenya. Two years ago, Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua was found dead in Iten, a renowned running hub, and Agnes Tirop, a record-breaking runner, was murdered in 2021. Tirop’s estranged husband, Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich, faces trial for her murder, with proceedings ongoing.
The Cheptegei case underscores the urgent need to address gender-based violence and support survivors of such attacks.