Rebecca Cheptegei, Ugandan Olympic Star, Set on Fire by Boyfriend in Shocking Attack

Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympic athlete, was attacked by her boyfriend and set on fire in her home, sustaining burns on 75% of her body, according to police reports.

The incident took place in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, where Cheptegei has been living to take advantage of the region’s athletic training centers. Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is currently receiving treatment for severe burns at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret City.

Rebecca Cheptegei Attack: Details and Police Statement

According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom, Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, poured petrol on her during a domestic dispute before setting her ablaze. Both Cheptegei and Ndiema are receiving treatment at the same hospital, where medical staff are working to address the extent of their injuries.

Local reports suggest that the couple was arguing over land that Cheptegei had purchased in Trans Nzoia, which led to the violent altercation. The house where the incident took place was built on the land in question. A report filed by the local chief indicated that neighbors heard the couple fighting just before the fire broke out.

The Pattern of Violence Involving Cheptegei and Other Athletes

This is not the first time violence has affected athletes in the region. In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds, and in 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was found dead, with a post-mortem revealing she had been strangled. This latest incident involving Rebecca Cheptegei has shocked the athletic community, raising concerns over the safety of athletes and the prevalence of domestic violence.

Rebecca Cheptegei’s situation has captured international attention, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack. As both Cheptegei and her boyfriend recover in hospital, the full details of the incident are still emerging. This tragic event adds to the troubling pattern of violence targeting athletes and women in East Africa, and more must be done to ensure their safety.