Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei was attacked and set on fire by her boyfriend just weeks after competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, police officials in Trans-Nzoia County in Kenya said. The athlete is reportedly currently receiving treatment for severe burns covering 75% of her body.
On Monday, police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said Cheptegei’s boyfriend Dickson Ndiema attacked her at her home in western Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya, at around 3pm local time on Sunday after the two got into a heated argument.
According to a police report issued by the local chief, Ndiema and Cheptegei were arguing over a plot of land for a house that Cheptegei had recently purchased. According to her parents, she bought the plot in Trans-Nzoia so that she could be close to the area’s sports training centers.
Kosiom said Ndiema set Cheptegei on fire after dousing her with a gallon of petrol.
“(Ndiema) is said to have sneaked into the property at about 2pm on Sunday while the woman and children were at church. When he returned, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before setting her alight,” Kosiom said in an interview with The Standard. “The couple were heard arguing outside their house. During the argument, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her. The suspect was also caught in the fire and suffered severe burns.”
Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the marathon at the Summer Olympics, is reportedly in critical condition and receiving specialist treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
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