Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Ugandan Olympic marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically passed away after being set on fire in a brutal attack by her former partner, is set to be laid to rest with full military honors on Saturday.
Cheptegei had recently returned to her home in the high-altitude region of western Kenya, known for its popularity among international runners seeking rigorous training conditions.
This return came shortly after she competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics on August 11, where she finished in 44th place. Sadly, this would turn out to be her final race.
Just three weeks after her return, Cheptegei was reportedly assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, as she returned home from church with her two daughters and younger sister in Kinyoro village, according to Kenyan police and family accounts.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, revealed that his daughter had sought help from local authorities at least three times, reporting harassment from Marangach. Her most recent complaint was filed on August 30, just two days before the horrific incident.
Cheptegei sustained severe burns covering over 80% of her body and tragically succumbed to her injuries four days later.
“I don’t think I am going to make it,” she told her father while being treated in hospital, he said.
“If I die, just bury me at home in Uganda.”
The tragic death of Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei has ignited widespread anger over the alarming levels of violence against women in Kenya, especially within the athletics community.
Cheptegei became the third elite runner to allegedly be killed by a romantic partner since 2021, underscoring the risks faced by female athletes.
According to Kenyan government data from 2022, one in three women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence. Rights groups warn that female athletes in the country are especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, as their prize earnings often attract individuals seeking financial gain, far exceeding local income levels.
Cheptegei had an impressive career, including her victory at the 2021 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand. A year later, she won the Padova Marathon in Italy, setting a national record for the marathon in the process.
Born in eastern Uganda in 1991, Cheptegei met her former partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, during a training session in Kenya, eventually relocating there to chase her dream of becoming an elite runner.
Tragically, Marangach also died a few days after Cheptegei, reportedly from burns sustained during the attack, which has divided opinion within the local running community.
“Justice really would have been for him to sit in jail and think about what he had done,” said marathoner Viola Cheptoo, co-founder of Tirop’s Angels, a support group for athletes facing domestic violence in Kenya.
Also Read: Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei set on fire by Kenyan boyfriend over land dispute
The tragic death of Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei sent shockwaves around the world. Despite the heartbreaking circumstances of her passing, her legacy may continue to inspire future generations of athletes.
The city of Paris, where she ran her final marathon at the 2024 Olympics, is planning to name a sports facility in her honor.
This gesture is intended to ensure that Cheptegei’s name remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes, while also serving as a reminder of the importance of addressing violence against women in sports and beyond.
