Rebecca Cheptegei, an Olympic marathon runner who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympic games, is in critical condition after a targeted gasoline attack. The 33-year-old distance runner was allegedly set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya. According to police, she suffered burns on 75% of her body after her partner allegedly doused her in gasoline and set her on fire in her own home in Trans Nzoia County, which is in western Kenya, on September 1, 2024.
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The couple was having an argument.
According to the Associated Press, Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, intentionally committed the act during a disagreement the two were having. He also sustained burns. A report filed by the local chief said the couple was fighting over the land that the house was built on.
Neighbors helped put out the fire.
“The couple were heard quarreling outside their house,” Kosiom said, according to the BBC. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.” Neighbors who witnessed the attack stepped in and put out the couple before they were taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where they're receiving treatment.
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Cheptegei and her children were returning home from church.
Per The Standard, Kosiom said, “[Ndiema] is believed to have sneaked into the compound at around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday while the wife and the children were in Church. Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her ablaze.”
The news outlet also reported that a "five-litre yellow jerrican, a bag and a black marvin believed to be for Dickson and a burnt mobile phone believed to be for Rebecca" were collected from the scene for forensic analysis.
The Uganda Athletics Federation-UAF shared a post.
The Uganda Athletics Federation-UAF made a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) about what happened.
"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," it read. "This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her."
People responded.
"That's so unfortunate. Quick recovery to Rebecca," one person commented. "What a coward! Absolutely disgusting, that poor woman ," another person wrote. "Sending love and healing from Oz ☮️."
The incident is still being investigated.
