Demand for Justice After Death of Ugandan Runner Set on Fire
The family of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is demanding justice after she died in Kenya due to an attack by her former boyfriend. Cheptegei suffered over eighty percent burns after being set on fire in Trans-Nzoia county. Her death has renewed focus on violence against female athletes in Kenya.
The family of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who died in Kenya after allegedly being set on fire by her former boyfriend, is demanding justice.
Rebecca, a long-distance runner in the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffered over 80% burns after her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Marangach, reportedly doused her with petrol and set her ablaze in Endebess town, Trans-Nzoia county.
The incident, which followed a dispute over land, left Cheptegei hospitalized in Eldoret, where she later succumbed to organ failure.
This event has reignited the spotlight on violence against female athletes in Kenya, echoing similar tragic incidents involving athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua.
Prominent figures, including Uganda’s sports minister Peter Ogwang and Kenya’s sports minister Kipchumba Murkomen, have condemned the violence, calling for steadfast action to combat gender-based violence.
Cheptegei is survived by her two daughters.
Rebecca, a long-distance runner in the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffered over 80% burns after her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Marangach, reportedly doused her with petrol and set her ablaze in Endebess town, Trans-Nzoia county.
The incident, which followed a dispute over land, left Cheptegei hospitalized in Eldoret, where she later succumbed to organ failure.
This event has reignited the spotlight on violence against female athletes in Kenya, echoing similar tragic incidents involving athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua.
Prominent figures, including Uganda’s sports minister Peter Ogwang and Kenya’s sports minister Kipchumba Murkomen, have condemned the violence, calling for steadfast action to combat gender-based violence.
Cheptegei is survived by her two daughters.
