Ugandan Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Domestic Violence Attack

Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei tragically passed away at the age of 33 after sustaining severe burns in an attack by her partner. The incident occurred in Kenya, where Cheptegei was being treated at a hospital in Eldoret city. Despite the efforts of medical staff, her organs failed, leading to her untimely death.

Cheptegei, who had recently competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, was described as a supportive daughter by her father, Joseph Cheptegei. He expressed his grief and frustration, calling for justice to be served against the perpetrator who caused his daughter’s death.

The attacker, identified as Dickson Ndiema, had poured gasoline on Cheptegei during a disagreement and set her on fire. Ndiema also sustained burns and was receiving treatment at the same hospital. The local police commander confirmed the details of the attack and stated that Ndiema was still in critical condition.

The tragic incident has sparked outrage and calls for action against gender-based violence in both Uganda and Kenya. Various officials and organizations, including the Uganda Athletics Federation and the International Olympic Committee, have condemned the attack and expressed their condolences to Cheptegei’s family.

The United Nations also weighed in on the matter, highlighting the global issue of violence against women and emphasizing the need for greater efforts to combat such atrocities. The shocking death of Rebecca Cheptegei serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of domestic violence and the urgent need for societal change.