Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died in Kenya, four days after being set on fire by her boyfriend, officials say.
The 33-year-old athlete, who competed in the Paris Olympics earlier this year, suffered burns to 80% of her body in the attack at her home in western Kenya.
Ugandan athletics officials described it as a “cowardly and senseless act” that has led to the loss of a “great athlete”.
Cheptegei was attacked on Sunday at her home in Endebess, near the Uganda-Kenya border. She died early Thursday morning at a hospital in western Kenya. Her boyfriend, identified as Dickson Ndiema Marangach, is accused of dousing her with petrol and setting her alight. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls to address gender-based violence in East Africa.
Donald Rukare, president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, announced Cheptegei’s death on social media, saying: “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei… following a vicious attack by her boyfriend.”
Cheptegei had recently participated in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th.
Local media reported that Cheptegei’s daughters witnessed the assault. One of the girls was quoted as saying, “He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother.”
Police say the suspect, who was also injured in the incident, had “sneaked into Cheptegei’s home” while she was at church with her children.
The Uganda Athletics Federation condemned the attack, stating: “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice.”
Tributes have poured in from across the sporting world, with many highlighting Cheptegei’s achievements as Uganda’s women’s marathon record holder.
The tragic incident has reignited discussions about domestic violence in the region. Activists have warned of a “femicide epidemic” in East Africa.
Recent statistics from Kenya show that 34% of women in the country have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
This case follows other high-profile incidents involving athletes in the region, including the deaths of Kenyan runners Damaris Mutua in 2022 and Agnes Tirop in 2021.