Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, has tragically passed away after being doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend. The athlete, who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, suffered severe burns following the attack on Sunday.
Authorities in north-west Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained, reported that she was assaulted after returning home from church with her two daughters. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his heartbreak, saying he lost a “very supportive” daughter. Fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa spoke about her kindness and generosity, recalling how she had financially assisted other runners.
A local administrator’s report suggested that the attack was linked to a dispute over a piece of land. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. Cheptegei had purchased a plot of land in Trans Nzoia County, near Kenya’s elite athletics training centers, to foster her athletic career.
The issue of violence against women is increasingly alarming in Kenya, with a national survey indicating that at least 34% of women experienced physical violence in 2022. Kenya’s Sports Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, remarked, “This tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat gender-based violence, which has increasingly affected even elite sports.”
Cheptegei’s father appealed to the Kenyan government to ensure justice for his daughter, said “We have lost our breadwinner,” worrying about how her two children, aged 12 and 13 and how would he continue their education.
Dr. Kimani Mbugua, a consultant at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, confirmed that despite the staff’s efforts, Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries due to severe burns leading to multi-organ failure. Kirwa, who visited her in the hospital, remembered her as a generous person who brought him training shoes from the Olympics and acted as an older sister.
Uganda’s athletics federation expressed its sorrow on X, wrote, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.” British Olympian Eilish McColgan also reacted, saying, “This is heartbreaking. Even more heartbreaking that it’s not the first time the athletics community has lost such an incredible female athlete to domestic violence.”
The ex-boyfriend of Cheptegei is currently hospitalized in Eldoret with less severe burns, and while his condition is reported to be stable, he remains in intensive care. Local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom noted that witnesses reported hearing the couple arguing before the attack, which he described as a “cowardly and senseless act.”
Donald Rukare, head of Uganda’s Olympic committee, empha sized the loss of a great athlete, stating, “Her legacy will continue to endure.” Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the recent Paris Olympics and won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.
Her death follows the tragic killings of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua the following year, with both cases involving their partners as primary suspects. Tirop’s husband is facing murder charges, which he denies, while authorities continue to search for Mutua’s boyfriend.
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