Marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, was horrifically set on fire by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, in a shocking incident that occurred just weeks after her return from the games.
According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, the 33-year-old Ugandan athlete was attacked by Ndiema on Sunday after a heated argument. Reports from the Associated Press indicate that the dispute escalated to a tragic level when Ndiema purchased a can of gasoline, doused Cheptegei with it, and then set her on fire at her home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The brutal attack left Cheptegei with severe burns covering more than 75 percent of her body.
Local authorities revealed that Cheptegei had recently acquired land in Trans Nzoia to be closer to the region’s athletic training centers, a decision that may have fueled the couple’s conflict. “The couple [was] heard quarreling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,” Kosiom told reporters, according to the BBC.
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Witnesses reported hearing the couple arguing about the land on which Cheptegei’s house was built just before the fire erupted. The BBC further reported that neighbors rushed to rescue Cheptegei from the flames, but she was left in critical condition due to the extensive burns.
Ndiema, who also sustained burns during the attack, is currently receiving treatment alongside Cheptegei at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. Both are under medical care, with Cheptegei’s condition being particularly grave.
Cheptegei’s athletic career began in 2010, and she has since represented Uganda on various international stages. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she finished in 44th place in the women’s marathon, marking another milestone in her career. Prior to this, in April 2022, Cheptegei had secured a victory at the Padova Marathon and placed second in the women’s 10,000-meter run at the Ugandan Championships in Kampala.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the athletic community, as Cheptegei is admired not only for her athletic achievements but also for her resilience and dedication to her sport. The attack on her has left many in disbelief, as she now faces a long and uncertain road to recovery.
