The tragic demise of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has sent shockwaves through the sports community and beyond. Her former partner, Dickson Ndiema, who was responsible for her death by setting her ablaze, has also succumbed to his injuries in a Kenyan hospital.
Ndiema attacked Cheptegei as she returned from church over a week ago. Reports indicate that he ambushed her, poured petrol on her, and ignited the flames. Local authorities revealed that the couple had been embroiled in a dispute regarding a small parcel of land in northwestern Kenya where Cheptegei resided and trained.
According to Dr. Owen Menach from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Ndiema passed away on Monday night after suffering severe burns covering more than 30% of his body. “It is confirmed that he died due to the burn injuries,” Dr. Menach stated.
Cheptegei tragically lost her life last Thursday after sustaining 80% burns during the horrific incident just four days prior. Eyewitnesses recounted hearing desperate screams before seeing Cheptegei running towards them while pleading for assistance.
Initially apprehended at Moi Hospital alongside Ndiema before their respective deaths, police were preparing to charge him with murder as they identified him as the primary suspect in Cheptegei’s case.
This incident marks another grim chapter for athletes in Kenya; Cheptegei was the third athlete killed within three years under similar circumstances involving intimate partners as suspects. In 2021, world-record holder Agnes Tirop was fatally stabbed, followed by Damaris Mutua’s strangulation six months later.
Born on the Kenyan side of the border between Kenya and Uganda, Cheptegei chose to represent Uganda when opportunities eluded her within Kenya’s athletics scene. She joined the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in 2008 and achieved rank sergeant during her service.
Her athletic career included participation in this year’s Paris Olympics where she finished 44th in marathon events; however, she remains celebrated as a “champion” by those back home who admired her dedication and spirit.
Plans are underway for Cheptegei’s burial this Saturday at her ancestral home located in Bukwo, Uganda—a poignant farewell for an athlete whose life ended far too soon amidst rising concerns about violence against women across Kenya. A national survey conducted last year revealed that approximately 34% of women reported experiencing physical violence—an alarming statistic highlighting an urgent need for societal change regarding women’s safety.
As communities mourn this loss while grappling with broader issues surrounding gender-based violence, it becomes increasingly vital to address these challenges head-on through education and advocacy efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals from such heinous acts.
