Rebeca Cheptegei’s ex-partner, Dickson Ndiema, has passed away at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. Ndiema died on Monday night in the ICU, where he had been receiving treatment for burns. His death comes just days after Cheptegei herself passed away at the same hospital.
The tragic incident occurred when Ndiema attacked Cheptegei at her home in Trans Nzoia, dousing her with petrol and setting her on fire. In the process, he also sustained burns. Cheptegei suffered burns over 80% of her body, while Ndiema was treated for burns covering more than 30% of his body.
Cheptegei, a member of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), will be laid to rest on Saturday in Uganda with full military honors. Her family, led by her father Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, confirmed the military burial and said both the Kenyan and Ugandan governments are coordinating to ensure she receives a proper send-off in Bukwo, Eastern Uganda.
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A postmortem on Cheptegei's body is scheduled to be conducted on Wednesday, with the family agreeing to the procedure to help understand the cause of her death. Mzee Cheptegei mentioned that the postmortem would provide the family with some closure as they mourn her loss.
Following the postmortem, Cheptegei’s body will be released on Thursday morning to her family and the UPDF. It will then be transported to her home in Endebes, Trans Nzoia, for a night vigil where local residents can pay their final respects.
On Friday, the body will be taken by road to Bukwo in Uganda for another vigil, ahead of the funeral scheduled for Saturday. High-ranking officials from both Kenya and Uganda are expected to attend the funeral to honor Cheptegei’s life and service.
