Ugandan Olympian fighting for life after Kenyan 'boyfriend' douses her with petrol

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan athlete who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, is fighting for her life in a Kenyan hospital after being set on fire by her boyfriend, police said.

Cheptegei, 33, who participated in the 10,000 meter race at the multi-sport event just last month, is receiving treatment for 75% burns at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in the city of Eldoret.

She was attacked in her house in western Trans Nzoia County on Monday.

Police said Cheptegei was doused with petrol and set ablaze during a dispute with her partner, Dickson NdiemaMarangach, who also sustained burns and is receiving treatment.

Trans Nzoia County police commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom also confirmed the incident to reporters.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation released a statement expressing their regret over the incident.

There have been past instances of violence against female athletes in the region. In October 2021, Agnes Tirop, a Kenyan long-distance runner, was stabbed to death in her home in the town of Iten by her husband.

Damaris Muthee Mutua, another Kenyan long-distance runner, was found dead in her house in Iten in April 2022. Her Ethiopian boyfriend, suspected of her murder, was later found dead in Ethiopia.