Olympic athlete runner Rebecca Cheptegei passed away from this world due to fire. The person who set her on fire was none other than her ex-boyfriend.
A 33-year-old marathon runner from Uganda died on Sunday after that terrifying incident.
Officials in northwestern Kenya say that the incident happened when she was returning from church with her two daughters.
Her father, Joseph Chipetigi, expressed grief and said that he lost a supportive daughter, which is the biggest shock for any father.
One of the local policemen has reported that he and one of his former players had a land dispute going on. Police say further investigation is ongoing.
It was learned that Chepetagi had bought a piece of land in Trans Nzoia County and built a house near Kenya’s elite athletics training centers.
Assault on women has become a serious problem in Kenya. After the 2022 national survey report, it has been seen that 34 percent of women face physical violence.
Kenya’s Minister of Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen, says that this tragedy reminds us that we should do better to deal with gender violence.
While giving an interview to the media outside the hospital, Mr. Chapatgi said that now the government of Kenya should ensure the delivery of justice after this senseless death.
He has emphasized that to deal with such incidents, the government should take necessary and immediate measures so that we do not see such incidents in the future.
Expressing grief, he has also said that he has lost his breadwinner. According to him, She has two daughters. Now, it is not known how they will live. How will they complete their studies without the support of their mother?
Dr. Kimani Mbugwa, the hospital’s consultant, expressed his grief and said that we and our staff tried hard to save her, but due to the fire, many of her body parts were burnt, and she died at 5:30.
Kirwa, who frequently trained with Cheptegei and had visited her in the hospital, told the BBC that she “was a very friendly person. She helped us all, including financially, and even brought me training shoes when she returned from the Olympics. She was like an older sister to me.”
Uganda’s athletics federation posted on X: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically fell victim to domestic violence early this morning. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.
“This is heart-breaking. Even more so because it’s not the first time the athletics community has lost an incredible female athlete to domestic violence,“ British Olympian Eilish McColgan wrote on X.
Cheptegei’s former boyfriend was also admitted to the hospital in Eldoret, though with less severe burns. Dr. Owen Menach from Moi Hospital stated that he is still in intensive care, but his condition is “improving and stable.“
Earlier, local police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom told local media, “The couple was heard arguing outside their house. During the fight, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before setting her on fire.”
Donald Rukare, head of Uganda’s Olympic committee, said on X, “This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”
Talking to reporters earlier in the week, her father said he prayed “for justice for my daughter,“ adding that he had never witnessed such an inhumane act in his life.
Uganda’s Sports Minister Peter Ogwang announced that arrangements are being made to bring Cheptegei’s body back to Uganda for burial.
Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the recent Paris Olympics. She also won the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand in 2022.
Her death follows the killings of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua the next year, with their partners being identified as the main suspects in both cases by the authorities.
We are still in shock and in pain, especially as athletes, with this happening in Kenya,“ she told the Reuters news agency. “We remember the case of Agnes Tirop, and now it has happened to Rebecca, so we are deeply upset.
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