Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the recently completed 2024 Paris Olympic Games, is fighting for her life after being set on fire by her boyfriend.
The incident occurred last Sunday at her residence in Kinyoro, Endebess constituency, Trans-Nzoia County, when her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, allegedly doused her with petrol and set her on fire leaving her burns covering 75 percent of her body.
According to local authorities, the couple got into a heated argument after Rebecca came home from church. Neighbors intervened, rescuing Cheptegei and rushing her to Kitale Level Four Hospital for emergency treatment before being transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
Marangach, who also sustained burns on his hands and face, was overpowered by the neighbors during the incident.
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Rebecca Cheptegei’s family, including her parents, Agnes and Joseph Cheptegei, expressed their distress over the attack, revealing that it was not the first time Marangach had assaulted their daughter. They called on the government to ensure justice.
Her brother, Paul Sabila, also disclosed that the altercation was reportedly linked to a dispute over land that Cheptegei had purchased with earnings from her athletic career.
Trans-Nzoia Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom confirmed that evidence, including a yellow five-liter container and a black Marvin, believed to belong to Marangach, had been collected from the scene for further investigation.
Athletics Kenya Trans-Nzoia, branch secretary Evans Rono, condemned the act, emphasizing the need for a thorough and swift investigation to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Cheptegei, who is 33 years old, previously won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
