The final moments of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei before she was doused in petrol and set alight by her ex-partner have been revealed.
Cheptegei, who tragically died at the age of 33 in hospital today, suffered burns to over 80% of her body in Sunday’s brutal attack that was reportedly carried out by Dickson Ndiema, according to medical officials.
She was rushed to the intensive care unit at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, but the facility’s acting director Dr Owen Menach confirmed Cheptegei died late last night after all her organs failed.
She and Ndiema has been bickering over the land upon which her hose was built, local media outlets reported.
Before the vicious attack on Sunday, neighbours heard the pair loudly arguing before he began pouring a can of petrol on her.
After he set her alight, neighbours rushed to her aid and helped to put the horrific fire out, before they were both rushed to hospital with all-consuming injuries.
Rebecca Cheptegei (pictured), who tragically died at the age of 33 in hospital today, suffered burns to over 80% of her body
She was rushed to the intensive care unit at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya,
She got into an argument with her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema
Kenyan cops confirmed they found a five-litre jerry can, a bag and a scorched phone at the scene.
Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said: ‘The couple was heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her. The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns.’
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, has told journalists he has lost a daughter who was ‘very supportive’ and hopes to get justice.
‘As it is now, the criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing,’ he said. ‘He is still free and might even flee.’
Cheptegei has two children, aged nine and 11, who are fathered by a different man living in Uganda.
One of Cheptegei’s daughters is said to have witnessed the assault at her mother’s home. She told Kenya’s The Standard: ‘He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother.
‘I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible,’ added the girl, who has not been named.
Kenyan police confirmed the runner was attacked at her house in western Trans Nzoia County
Her father, Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, has revealed that his family will struggle to cope following his daughter’s passing
The father of Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei (pictured) has spoken out on his daughter’s death
Cheptegei’s father Joseph had previously described his daughter’s attacker as an ‘animal’ who tormented her for months before setting her ablaze.
Speaking earlier this week from hospital alongside his other daughter Evalyne Chelagat, Mr Cheptegei claimed that his daughter and Ndiema were fighting over her land at Endebes in Trans Nzoia shortly before the alleged attack occurred.
‘They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter,’ Cheptegei Snr told The Star.
The athletic world has already begun mourning the loss of the Olympic athlete.
A statement from the Ugandan Athletics Federation on social media read: ‘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.’
World Athletics president Lord Coe, meanwhile, pledged to look at ways to better protect female athletes.
He said: ‘Our sport has lost a talented athlete in the most tragic and unthinkable circumstances.
Cheptegei is pictured having swapped shirts with Italian athletes
Cheptegei’s sister breaks down in a press conference following the attack on the Olympic athlete
Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei (left) pictured with her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema (right), who allegedly doused her in petrol and set her alight
‘Rebecca was an incredibly versatile runner who still had lots left to give on the roads, mountains and cross country trails.
‘I have been in touch with our council members in Africa to see how we can help, not only in our capacity as governing body of the sport Rebecca competed in, but to assess how our safeguarding policies might be enhanced to include abuse outside of the sport, and bringing together stakeholders from all areas of athletics to combine forces to protect our female athletes to the best of our abilities from abuse of all kinds.’
Renowned athletics TV commentator Rob Walker wrote on X: ‘I’ve witnessed great progress in East Africa over last 20 years. But the treatment of successful female athletes by jealous husbands/boyfriends must now be addressed. This is utterly appalling.’
Reported attacks on women have been on the rise in Kenya and the country’s sports minister Kipchumba Murkomen added: ‘This tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat gender-based violence, which has increasingly affected even elite sports.’
Cheptegei began her career in 2010 and was initially a 1500m runner before moving up to long distances. She finished second in the Madrid and Cantalejo half marathons in 2011.
In 2022, she won gold in the up and downhill mountain race at the inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.
Cheptegei also won the Padova marathon in Italy earlier that year, before finishing second in the Abu Dhabi marathon in 2hr 22min 47sec – the second fastest time by a female Ugandan.
She finished 14th in the marathon at last year’s World Championships in Budapest, then came 44th at the Paris Olympics in 2:32:14.
Fellow Ugandan runner James Kirwa said: ‘She was a very affable person. She helped us all even financially and she brought me training shoes when she came back from the Olympics. She was like an older sister to me.’