Featured Image Credit: Jiang Qiming/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images / Uganda Athletics Federation
Topics: Olympics, Sport, World News, News
Gerrard Kaonga
Topics: Olympics, Sport, World News, News
Ugandan long-distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei is confirmed to have died after a heinous attack saw her get ‘set on fire’ by an ex-partner.
Rebecca Cheptegei had recently been on the world's stage for her own accomplishments, competing in the Paris Olympics. She had finished 44th in the marathon before returning to her home country,
But on Sunday (September 1), she was attacked at her house in the western Trans Nzoia County after returning home from church with her two daughters.
Her ex-boyfriend, who has since been named by authorities as Dickson Ndiema, had reportedly doused her in petrol before setting her alight.
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This resulted in her receiving burns to 75 percent of her body and she was taken to hospital. However, the athlete later succumbed to her injuries and was confirmed to have died earlier today (September 5).
Head of the hospital Dr. Owen Menach was the one to confirm to local media that the athlete passed away, with the Ugandan Athletics Federation also taking to Twitter to confirm the news.
One of Cheptegei’s daughters, who has not been named, has since spoken to local media about the attack.
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Speaking to Kenya’s The Standard, she said she witnessed the whole ordeal, saying: “He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother.
“I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbor who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible.”
Cheptegei's father Joseph described his daughter’s attacker as 'an animal', and said that he had been tormenting her for months.
Mr Cheptegei claimed that his daughter and Ndiema were fighting over her land at Endebes in Trans Nzoia shortly before the alleged attack.
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Speaking to The Star, he said: “They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter."
The father also attempted to clarify the relationship between his daughter and her assailant as well as the incident itself.
“I wish to state that my wounded daughter is married and her husband is in Uganda. Her attacker was a friend they met in Kenya and my daughter trusted him.
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"They fell out recently but the suspect sneaked into her compound on Sunday afternoon, armed with five litres of petrol and hid in a poultry house.
“Rebecca was outside the house when the suspect appeared and immediately poured petrol on her before lighting the fire.
“My daughter called for help by asking her sister who was in the home to bring a blanket to put off the fire but the suspect who was armed with a machete chased her away and Rebecca burnt."
The father said he is now praying for justice for his daughter.
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An investigation into Cheptegei's passing is underway, police say. It has been reported that Ndiema also sustained serious burns and is being treated in hospital.