Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died after her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly set her on fire. Cheptegei suffered severe burns and passed away days after the attack. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about gender-based violence against female athletes in Kenya.
Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan athlete who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, has died after a shocking attack by her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema. The incident occurred on September 1, when Ndiema allegedly poured petrol on Cheptegei and ignited her while she was returning home from church in Trans Nzoia County, Nairobi.
Cheptegei suffered severe burns over 80% of her body and was admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where she tragically passed away on September 5. Ndiema, who also sustained serious injuries in the attack, was initially hospitalized for treatment but succumbed to his burns on September 10.
Reports suggest that the couple had been in a dispute regarding land ownership prior to the violent encounter. Cheptegei's death highlights a troubling pattern, as she becomes the third female athlete to be killed in Kenya in recent years, following the murders of Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua in 2022. These incidents have sparked concerns about the safety of women, particularly those in sports, and the persistent issue of gender-based violence in the region.
