Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan athlete who recently competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, is in critical condition after a brutal attack allegedly carried out by her boyfriend in Kenya. The distance runner, 33, sustained severe burns covering 75 percent of her body after her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, reportedly doused her with gasoline and set her on fire at her home in Trans Nzoia County, western Kenya, on September 1.
Olympic Marathon Runner #RebeccaCheptegei Set on Fire by Boyfriend During Fight; Suffers 75% Burns: Reporthttps://t.co/B39rSCURu8
— Pinkvilla Sports (@pinkvillasport1) September 3, 2024
According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, the incident occurred following an argument between Cheptegei and Ndiema. Witnesses reported hearing the couple quarreling outside their home before seeing Ndiema pour a liquid, later identified as gasoline, over Cheptegei and setting her alight. “The couple were heard quarreling outside their house,” Kosiom told journalists. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”
Ndiema also sustained serious burns in the incident, which neighbors managed to extinguish before both were transported to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret for urgent medical care. The couple’s argument was reportedly over land on which their home was built. Kosiom shared with local media that Ndiema had sneaked into the compound while Cheptegei and her children were at church, setting his plan into motion upon their return.
Evidence collected from the scene includes a five-liter jerrican believed to belong to Ndiema and a charred mobile phone thought to be Cheptegei’s. These items are currently undergoing forensic analysis as the investigation into this horrific act continues.
BREAKING NEWS : Female Olympic Athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, Set on Fire by Boyfriend https://t.co/ESNtUvyxeS
— Brenda (@Says_What_2Whom) September 3, 2024
Cheptegei’s career has been marked by notable achievements. She competed in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 44th, and previously won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand in 2022. She had moved from Uganda to Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, to train after purchasing land in the region.
The attack has shocked the athletic community and raised concerns about domestic violence. Cheptegei’s condition remains critical as she recovers at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the attack.
Key Points:
i. Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition after being set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya.
ii. Cheptegei sustained burns over 75% of her body and is being treated at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
iii. The incident occurred after an argument between Cheptegei and her boyfriend over land.
iv. Evidence, including a jerrican and a burned phone, has been collected for forensic analysis.
v. Cheptegei recently competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics and has had a successful career in distance running.
James Kravitz – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
