Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan marathon runner who competed in the Paris Olympics last month, has died days after her boyfriend burned her.
The matter was confirmed by the Uganda Athletics Federation via an X post and highlighted that Rebecca fell victim to domestic violence.
“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”
Rebecca was in critical condition after suffering burns on 75% of her body following Sunday’s attack at her house in western Trans Nzoia County. She was only 33, and her death was also confirmed by the Kenyan Olympic Team on X.
According to the police, Rebecca was doused in petrol by her partner before the latter set her on fire.
“Her partner, Dickson Ndiema, stormed her house with a can of gasoline and set fire to her after a disagreement over land,” reported CNN.
Ndiema, who was also burned, is being treated at a hospital.
Father blamed authorities because it was not Rebecca and Ndiema’s 1st history of violence
Her father, Joseph, blamed the Kenyan government and police for failing to prevent her death and said the authorities should have taken the family seriously when they first reported the domestic violence.
“Ndiema had become problematic and he was fighting her. We reported to the police, to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations but they didn’t take any action to save her life.”
Rebecca’s mother also told the media that Rebecca had always been a good child.
In another report by Business Standard, the city of Paris expressed its desire to honour the late Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei by naming a sports venue after her.
City mayor Anne Hidalgo proposed the matter, which will be discussed with city officials in October.
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