Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei is receiving treatment in hospital for 75 percent burns after allegedly being set on fire by her boyfriend.
Cheptegei had recently returned to Kenya following the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she represented Uganda in the marathon.
Police have confirmed Cheptegei was attacked in her house in the western Trans Nzoia County, where she had been training.
Cheptegei had allegedly been set on fire by her former boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said her former partner had bought a can of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday.
‘The boyfriend is believed to have sneaked into the compound at around 2pm on Sunday while the wife and the children were in Church,’ Kosiom said, as per the Standard.
‘Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her ablaze.
‘The couple were 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 is currently being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.
Ndiema, who also sustained burns, is being treated at the same hospital.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation confirmed the attack on social media.
‘We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalised at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
‘This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her.’
Neighbours helped to extinguish the flames, according to local reports, with both being admitted to hospital with extensive burns.
We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her pic.twitter.com/rgnWvgTpkb
— Uganda Athletics Federation-UAF (@UgaAthletics2) September 3, 2024
Police discovered a five-litre jerry can, a bag, and a burned phone at the scene of the incident, according to Kenyan newspaper The Nation.
The local police chief stated that the couple had been heard fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire was started.
Cheptegei was reported to have bought the land in Trans Nzoia county, located close to the Uganadan border, and built a house.
The house is close to several training centres in Kenya.
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