Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being severely burned by partner following land dispute

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after suffering 80 percent burns from her partner. She was 33.

Owen Menach, a spokesperson for Moi Teaching Hospital in Eldoret town, confirmed Cheptegei’s death on Thursday. Menach said the long-distance runner died early in the morning after her organs failed. She had been fully sedated when she was admitted to the hospital.

Less than a month before the attack, Cheptegei had competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th.

Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, told reporters at the hospital that he had lost a daughter who was very supportive of him and hoped for justice.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Monday that Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerrycan of petrol, poured it on her and set her alight during an argument on Sunday. Ndiema also suffered burns and was treated at the same hospital.

Menach said Ndiema was still in intensive care with burns to more than 30 percent of his body, but was “in better health and stable.”

Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter had bought land in Trans Nzoia to be close to the county’s many sports training centres. A report by the local chief said the two women were heard fighting over the land where her house was built before the attack.

The Uganda Athletics Federation paid tribute to Rebecca Cheptegei on social media platform X, writing: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning, who was tragically a victim of domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”

Uganda Olympic Committee president Donald Rukare called the attack “a cowardly and senseless act that resulted in the loss of a great athlete.”

In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner and steeplechaser Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead, stabbed. In 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was found dead and an autopsy report stated that she had been strangled. In 2021, long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death in her home. Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, was arrested and charged with murder, the case is ongoing.