A Ugandan Olympian is in intensive care in a Kenyan hospital after being doused with petrol and set on fire allegedly by her partner, officials said on Tuesday, the latest incident of gender-based violence in the East African country.
Long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei, 33 – who came 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics – was assaulted after her Kenyan partner Dickson Ndiema Marangach reportedly sneaked into her home in Endebess in the western county of Trans-Nzoia on Sunday while she and her children were at church, police said.
He poured petrol, on Rebecca before he set her ablaze.
The athlete sustained burns over 75% of her body.
Our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei was viciously attacked by her boyfriend, sustaining serious burns. Currently admitted in hospital. Let’s keep Rebecca in pray and wish her a full recovery. Let’s all say NO to violence especially against women. This is totally unacceptable… pic.twitter.com/6s3c97ZFpB
The assault on Cheptegei comes two years after Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua was found dead in Iten, a world-famous running hub in the Rift Valley in the west of the country.
Her death followed the murder of record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop, 25, who was found stabbed to death at her home in Iten in 2021.
Tirop's estranged husband Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich went on trial over her murder in 2023. He has denied the charges. His trial is ongoing.