Olympian dies after being set on fire by boyfriend

Rebecca Cheptegei in action during the women's marathon final of the 2023 World Athletics Championship. Photo by Reuters/Dylan Martinez

"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence," the Uganda Athletics Federation posted on social media X on Thursday. "As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace."

The attack that led to Cheptegei's death came just days after she returned from the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th in the women's marathon. The 33-year-old suffered severe burns on 75% of her body after her ex-boyfriend doused her with petrol and set her on fire at her home in Trans Nzoia County, northwestern Kenya, CNN reported.

Trans Nzoia County Police said the motive of the crime may have been due to a land dispute between Cheptegei and her ex-boyfriend. Cheptegei is from Uganda but bought a plot of land in Trans Nzoia County, close to the border with her home country, to support her training in Kenya. She built a house on the land and lived with her two children.

Dr. Owen Menach, director of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, said Cheptegei died after all her organs were damaged. Cheptegei's ex-boyfriend was also taken to hospital with less serious burns and is in a stable condition, BBC reported.

"Neighbors heard them arguing outside the house. During the fight, the boyfriend threw petrol on the girl and set her on fire," Trans Nzoia County Police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom said, adding that police suspected the ex-boyfriend had broken into the house to wait for Cheptegei while she went to church with her children.

"A cowardly and senseless act has robbed a great athlete of her life. Her contributions to Ugandan marathon will be remembered forever," Uganda Olympic Committee chief Donald Rukare wrote on X.

Joseph, Cheptegei's father, has called out the Kenyan government for failing to prevent her death.

Cheptegei is the third elite female athlete to be killed in East Africa in the last three years. In 2021, Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop was found dead with multiple stab wounds. In 2022, Kenyan runner Damaris Mutua was murdered. In both cases, their partners are the prime suspects.

Violence against women is a serious issue in Kenya. According to a national survey, at least 34% of women reported experiencing physical abuse in 2022.