Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei’s life hangs in the balance after a vicious gasoline attack.
At a Glance
- Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition in a Kenyan hospital after allegedly being set on fire by a former boyfriend.
- Cheptegei, a 33-year-old marathon runner, competed in the recent Paris Olympics and suffered extensive burns.
- The attack occurred at her home in western Kenya, where she was training.
- Concerns are rising about increasing violence against female athletes in Kenya, some resulting in death.
Rebecca Cheptegei’s Horrific Attack
Rebecca Cheptegei, a prominent Ugandan athlete and Olympic marathon runner, is fighting for her life after a heinous gasoline attack by her former boyfriend. Cheptegei is currently receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, after sustaining burns to 80 percent of her body.
The assault occurred at her training home in Endebess, western Kenya, where Cheptegei was reportedly drenched in gasoline and set ablaze during an altercation. The incident has generated an outpouring of emotions including shock, anger, and calls for justice and improved security for athletes.
Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan long-distance runner who competed at the Paris Olympics, is in critical condition after a man who was in a relationship with her poured gasoline on her and set her on fire on Sunday, police in Kenya said. https://t.co/i8KvarwrTA
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 4, 2024
Community Reactions and Support
Following the barbaric attack, the sporting community and her local supporters have expressed outrage and solidarity with the athlete. Neighbors and passersby rescued her during the altercation, witnessing the horror firsthand. “The couple were heard quarreling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,” a witness reported.
Law enforcement authorities are intensifying efforts to apprehend the attacker, identified as Dickson Ndiema, who also sustained burns to 30 percent of his body and is under medical treatment. Ndiema allegedly sneaked into the compound with petrol while Cheptegei and her children were at church. The attacker’s actions, driven by a dispute over a piece of land, underline deeper issues of gender-based violence in the region.
Rebecca Cheptegei, a long-distance runner who competed in the Olympic marathon in Paris, is in critical condition after a man poured gas on her and set her on fire, police in Kenya said. https://t.co/JM1BIFZQwd
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) September 3, 2024
Rising Concerns Over Athlete Safety
This incident has ignited discussions about the safety of female athletes in Kenya. Concerns have been heightening due to a string of violent acts targeting sportswomen, some with fatal outcomes. Previous cases include the tragic murders of Damaris Mutua and Agnes Tirop, both allegedly by their partners. Even male athletes, such as Ugandan Benjamin Kiplagat, who was stabbed to death last December, have not been spared.
According to a United Nations report, Africa saw an estimated 20,000 gender-related killings of women in 2022, the highest rate of femicide worldwide. Protests against femicides and gender-based violence have erupted within Kenya and other African nations, urging immediate action. Uganda Athletics Federation also condemned the attack, stating, “We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her.”
Olympic marathon runner in critical condition after boyfriend 'set her on fire' https://t.co/Xd4xp0R9hD pic.twitter.com/YmNQqGojxR
— Sun Sport (@SunSport) September 3, 2024
Ongoing Investigations and Legal Proceedings
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. A forensic analysis is being conducted on items found at the crime scene, including a five-liter jerrican, a bag, a black marvin, and a burned mobile phone. This evidence will be crucial in the prosecution of the perpetrator. Cheptegei had previously filed a police complaint regarding the land dispute, highlighting the ongoing tensions that culminated in this tragic event.
“For justice for my daughter,” Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, asserted, pleading with the community and law enforcement for immediate action. The athlete remains in critical condition, fully sedated due to the extent of her injuries. Medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilize her, offering a glimmer of hope for her recovery.
Olympic marathon runner hospitalised after 'boyfriend set her on fire in petrol attack'https://t.co/bWrDiKsnBs
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) September 3, 2024
Sources
1. Olympic Runner Rebecca Cheptegei Severely Burned In Gasoline Attack By Boyfriend
2. Ugandan athlete in hospital after Kenya petrol attack
