Cheptegei had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya, where she was admitted with severe burns covering 80% of her body.
Ugandans have flooded social media with tributes to marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically passed away on Thursday, September 5, after being set on fire by her boyfriend.
Rebecca Cheptegei
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The Uganda Athletics Federation shared the heartbreaking news on X (formerly Twitter), posting: "BREAKING NEWS💔💔 We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace."
Donald Rukare, the former chairman of Uganda’s National Council of Sports, expressed his sorrow, stating: "We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure."
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Rebecca Cheptegei
Pulse Live Uganda
Social media users, shocked by the news, also paid their respects. One X user, @Natumanyachris1, wrote: "Sorry! Ugandan long-distance and marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically died from severe burn injuries after her alleged boyfriend doused her with petrol and set her on fire."
The violent incident took place at Cheptegei’s home in Endebes, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. Reports indicate that her alleged boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, attacked her with petrol, sparking the tragedy. On the day of the attack, Rebecca Cheptegei had returned from church with her children when Marangach, carrying a five-litre jerrican of petrol, ambushed her and set her ablaze.
Neighbours, hearing the commotion, rushed to save both Cheptegei and Marangach, who also sustained burns covering 30% of his body. They were taken to a nearby hospital before being transferred to MTRH for specialised care.
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Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei
Pulse Live Kenya
The attack is believed to have been fuelled by a long-standing land dispute between the couple. Cheptegei, who had purchased a plot in Trans Nzoia County, close to Kenya's athletic training centres, had been involved in ongoing disagreements with Marangach over ownership of the land. Authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway.
Cheptegei, an accomplished athlete, had represented Uganda at the Paris Olympics and won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand. Her untimely death has left the sports community and her fans in deep mourning.
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