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Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically died just days after being set on fire by a former boyfriend. The 33-year-old Ugandan athlete, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, sustained severe burns in the attack, which occurred after she returned home from church with her two daughters in north-west Kenya.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his grief, describing his daughter as “very supportive.” Fellow Ugandan runner James Kirwa recalled her generosity, noting how she often helped other athletes financially. Authorities believe a dispute over land between Cheptegei and her ex-partner may have led to the attack. Police have launched an investigation.
Originally from Uganda, Cheptegei had moved to Kenya’s Trans Nzoia county to be closer to elite athletics training centers. She had built a home there and was raising her daughters when the attack took place. The assailant, her ex-boyfriend, is also hospitalized with burns but is reportedly in stable condition.
Gender-based violence continues to be a major concern in Kenya, with 34% of women reporting physical violence in 2022, according to national data. Kenya’s Sports Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, condemned the attack, calling it a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat domestic violence, even among elite athletes.
Cheptegei’s death has sent shockwaves through the athletics community, with tributes pouring in. Ugandan and Kenyan athletes have expressed their devastation, remembering Cheptegei as a beloved figure. Joan Chelimo, a Kenyan athlete involved in Tirop’s Angels, a group formed after the murder of athlete Agnes Tirop, said, “Today has been a sad moment for athletes… it reminded us of the day Agnes was murdered.”
Uganda’s athletics federation and Uganda’s Olympic committee also condemned the attack, calling for justice. Arrangements are being made to return Cheptegei’s body to Uganda for burial.
Cheptegei’s tragic death follows similar high-profile murders of female athletes in East Africa, including Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua in 2022, both killed by their partners. These incidents have heightened awareness of the dangers of gender-based violence in the region, prompting calls for action.
Cheptegei was a decorated athlete, having placed 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics and winning gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand. Her legacy, fellow athletes say, will not be forgotten.
