Ugandan Olympic athlete set on fire by her boyfriend, dies
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. She was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her, and lit her on fire following an argument on Sunday. MTRH acting Director Dr Owen Menach confirmed her death, stating "Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed last night."
Details of the tragic incident involving Cheptegei
She sustained 80% burn injuries. According to police, Marangach allegedly sneaked into Cheptegei's home with a five-liter jerrican full of petrol, and upon her return from church with their children, he reportedly doused her in petrol and set her alight. The commotion alerted neighbors, who managed to rescue both individuals and rush them to the hospital in critical condition.
Cheptegei's father sheds light on relationship and dispute
The athlete's father, Mzee Joseph Cheptegiei, clarified that his daughter and Marangach were merely friends. He revealed that they had been in a dispute over land at Endebes in Trans Nzoia, where the attack took place. "They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter," Mzee Cheptegiei stated. He also mentioned that an ongoing case between the two was under investigation.
Cheptegei's alleged attacker also sustains injuries
Marangach, the alleged perpetrator of the attack, also sustained burn injuries during the incident. He was admitted to the same ICU facility as Cheptegei with approximately 30% burns. The motive behind this horrific act remains unclear. Cheptegei was a distance runner who finished in 44th place in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
