Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who died after being set on fire by her Kenyan boyfriend, will be laid to rest on September 14 in her home country.

The 33-year-old athlete, who competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics just last month, succumbed to her injuries from severe burns on Thursday, four days after being doused with petrol and set ablaze at her residence in Eldoret.

PHOTO | COURTESY Rebecca Cheptegei

Beatrice Ayikoru, Secretary General of the Uganda Olympic Committee and part of the funeral organizing team confirmed that Cheptegei’s burial would occur in Kongasis Sub County, Bukwo District. This district is located in eastern Uganda near the Kenyan border, about 380 kilometers from the capital, Kampala.

Cheptegei's death has sparked outrage and sorrow, adding to the growing concerns about gender-based violence in Kenya.

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PHOTO | COURTESY The suspect, Dickson Ndiema Marangach

She is one of several athletes in recent times whose partners have been killed. Kenyan police identified the attacker as Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, who is also being treated for burn injuries in hospital.