A Ugandan athlete is in critical condition in a Kenyan hospital after being attacked with petrol and flames by her alleged partner, authorities said, marking another shocking case of gender-based violence in the region.
According to the police, Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old long-distance runner, was attacked by her Kenyan partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, who allegedly entered her home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County in western Kenya on Sunday at approximately 2:00 pm, while she and her children were at church.
According to a police report, Dickson poured petrol on Rebecca before setting her on fire, after which he himself was also injured by the flames, as he had obtained the fuel.
Neighbors saved the couple and brought them to Kitale County Referral Hospital nearby, where they were admitted with “multiple burns”.
They were taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), where Cheptegei was placed in the intensive care unit on Monday.
A staff member from MTRH, who wished to remain anonymous, described her condition as severe, with facial burns and bandages.
The police report did not specify whether Cheptegei’s children were injured during the assault.
According to the police report, the Ugandan athlete and Marangach were a pair who frequently had disputes within their family.
According to reports from local media, the athlete suffered burns on 75% of her body and her parents are on their way from Uganda to see her.
According to local media reports, they claimed that their daughter had purchased land and constructed a house in the Trans-Nzoia region, which is situated on the border with Uganda.
Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics. The Ugandan Athletics Federation regretted the incident and stated that Cheptegei had experienced “serious injuries”.
