Dickson Ndiema, the ex-lover of marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei, has died.
Ndiema passed away on Monday night at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where he was being treated for severe burns. He had 35% burns from a violent attack on Rebecca Cheptegei, who suffered over 80% burns and died shortly after.
The horrific attack took place at Cheptegei’s home in Trans Nzoia. Ndiema reportedly poured petrol on Cheptegei and set her on fire.
Neighbour Recalls Rebecca Cheptegei Horrific Attack
Agnes Barabara, a neighbor, described the chilling scene to the BBC: “I was in the house and heard people screaming, ‘fire’. When I came out, I saw Rebecca running towards my house on fire, shouting ‘help me.’
Barabara recounted how she tried to assist:
“As I went to look for water and started calling out for help, her assailant appeared again and doused more petrol on her. But then he too got burned and he ran off towards the garden to try to put it out. We then went to help Rebecca.”
Barabara was deeply affected by the incident, saying, “I have never seen anyone burn alive in my life. I didn’t eat for days after that incident.”
The attack has been treated as a murder case, with Ndiema named as the primary suspect. The couple had been involved in ongoing domestic disputes. Cheptegei’s funeral is scheduled for September 14 in Bukwo, Uganda, where she will be laid to rest with full military honors.
By Vivian K.