Cheptegei reportedly suffered 80 per cent burns on Sunday after she was doused in petrol by her estranged boyfriend who also sustained burns during the incident.
Ugandan long-distance athlete Rebecca Cheptegei died on Thursday, September 5 at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, where she was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Dr Owen Menach, the acting director of MTRH, confirmed her death, stating that she passed away last night after her organs failed. “Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed last night,” Dr Menach said, adding that the hospital would provide a detailed report on the matter later in the day.
Cheptegei reportedly suffered 80 per cent burns on Sunday after she was doused in petrol by her estranged boyfriend who also sustained burns during the incident.
According to the Trans Nzoia Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Koisiom, the deceased’s boyfriend bought a jerrican of petrol and poured it on her before setting the 33-year-old ablaze.
Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. /PHOTO
The area chief while detailing the occurrence revealed he heard the two fighting over the ownership of a piece of land where their house was built, a situation locals believed preceded the tragic incident.
While addressing the matter, Cheptegei’s parents claimed the athlete bought the piece of land as she wished to be near the athletes’ training centre.
After earlier condemning the incident, Uganda’s Athletics Federation is now demanding justice for the now-deceased athlete.
“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,” the federation stated on X.
At the scene of the tragedy, police officers managed to recover a five-litre jerrican containing petrol and a mobile phone believed to belong to the deceased’s boyfriend.
The developments come as a blow to the Kenyan government which offered to airlift Cheptegei to Nairobi for specialised treatment.
“We want to see that she is given the best available medical care in this country even as we discuss how to progress further,” Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum revealed on Wednesday, September 4.
Reacting to the developments, Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen said he was deeply saddened by the loss of Cheptegei, terming her “Uganda’s Women’s Marathon record holder, and a Paris 2024 Olympian. Rebecca was an outstanding athlete who showcased the spirit of resilience in representing Uganda and East Africa.”
“Her passing is not only a loss to Uganda and the athletics community but to the entire region. This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society, which in recent years has reared its ugly head in elite sporting circles. As a government, we remain committed to supporting justice for Rebecca. No one should have to go through such an ordeal. May her soul rest in peace,” he said in a statement.
Cheptegei, aged 33, finished 44th in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics. Her case prompted a significant response from both Kenyan and Ugandan authorities.
Kenyan athletics have in the past been hit by tragedies involving athletes and their family members, mostly spouses. In 2021, then world 10k world record holder Agnes Tirop was found dead in her home in Iten with multiple stab wounds believed to be a result of a quarrel with her husband.
The late Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei during a past race. /X