The tragic death of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei has sent shockwaves across East Africa after the long-distance runner succumbed to injuries from burns inflicted by her boyfriend at her home in Kenya.
This horrifying act of violence against women highlights a troubling trend revealing an issue in the region. Cheptegei, who was 33 years old, passed away early Thursday at a hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. Dr. Kimani Mbugua, the head of the ICU at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, confirmed that her injuries were too severe for recovery, with burns covering over 80% of her body, leading to multiple organ failure.
The incident occurred on Sunday when police identified her Kenyan partner Dickson Ndiema Marangach as the perpetrator. According to reports from Kenyan media, Marangach broke into Cheptegei’s home while she was at church with her two daughters. He allegedly poured petrol on her and set her ablaze. Marangach also sustained burns and is currently in condition, in intensive care.
The recent passing of Cheptegei, who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics and placed 44th in the women’s marathon, has sparked global outrage. Janet Museveni, the First Lady of Uganda, expressed her deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address domestic violence.
Similarly, Kenya’s Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stressed the importance of taking action against gender-based violence in the country. The United Nations condemned the act as a murder and tributes poured in from fellow athletes and organizations like the Kenyan National Olympic Committee, which celebrated Cheptegei’s exceptional talent and resilience.
This tragic event has also brought attention to the rising cases of femicide in Kenya, where gender-based violence remains a significant issue. UN statistics show that 725 femicides were reported in 2022 and a study revealed that one-third of Kenyan women had experienced violence since the age of 15.
The recent death of Cheptegei marks another incident in the running community. In 2021, the world record holder Agnes Tirop was tragically discovered murdered at her home. The following year, Bahrain’s Damaris Mutua also lost her life as a result of violence. Athletes like Joan Chelimo, who cofounded Tirops Angels, a group focused on addressing gender-based violence expressed their outrage and urged for an end to the senseless violence, against women.
