By Frank Kamuntu
Uganda’s renowned long-distance runner, Rebecca “Becky” Cheptegei, has tragically passed away in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The tragic incident occurred after the 33-year-old athlete suffered severe third-degree burns during a domestic altercation with her partner, Nickson Ndiema.
Reports indicate that Ndiema allegedly doused the Olympian with petrol before setting her on fire at their Endebess residence. Both Cheptegei and Ndiema sustained serious burn injuries and were initially rushed to Kitale Level Four Hospital for treatment. Due to the critical nature of their injuries, they were later transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.
Joseph Cheptegei, Rebecca’s father, urged for justice in the wake of the tragic event, expressing his grief just a day before her passing. “We demand justice for what happened to my daughter,” he stated.
Cheptegei was a participant in the Women’s Marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she completed the race in 44th place with a time of 2:32:14. Fellow Ugandan athletes Stella Chesang and Mercyline Chelangat finished in 8th and 69th place, respectively. In 2023, Cheptegei secured a silver medal at the Padova Women’s Marathon in Italy.
The President of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), Dr. Donald Rukare, expressed his profound sorrow at the loss of Cheptegei and denounced gender-based violence. “We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of our Olympian, Rebecca Cheptegei, following a brutal attack by her partner. We mourn her loss and condemn violence against women in the strongest terms. This was a senseless and cowardly act that has taken the life of a remarkable athlete. Her legacy will live on,” Dr. Rukare shared via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Cheptegei’s untimely death has sent shockwaves through the sports community, with many calling for justice and raising awareness about the need to combat domestic violence.
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