Olympic Runner Rebecca Cheptegei Severely Burned In Gasoline Attack By Boyfriend

Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who lives in Kenya, was brutally set on fire by her boyfriend and is currently being treated for burns covering 75% of her body, according to police.

Cheptegei, a distance runner who placed 44th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was attacked at her home in Trans Nzoia County in western Kenya. According to her parents, Cheptegei purchased land in Trans Nzoia to be close to the county's numerous athletic training centers.

The local chief says Rebecca Cheptegei and her boyfriend were heard arguing about the land shortly before the fire broke out.

The Uganda Athletics Federation shared the news in an X post, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, writing:

"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. This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her."

According to NBC News, Trans Nzoia police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said that Cheptegei's boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of gasoline, doused her with it, and set her ablaze during a dispute on Sunday.

Ndiema also suffered burn injuries, and both are now receiving specialized care at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.

A report from a local administrator indicated that the two had been arguing over the piece of land.

“The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house,” he told journalists, per BBC News. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”

Kosiom later told The Standard, “[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.”

Ugandan lawyer Donald Rukare released a statement following the news. "Our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei was viciously attacked by her boyfriend, sustaining serious burns," he wrote in an X post. "Currently admitted in hospital. Let’s keep Rebecca in prayer and wish her a full recovery."

Rukare added, "Let’s all say NO to violence, especially against women. This is totally unacceptable and we condemn this totally uncalled for attack. Together let’s stand against violence."

In April 2022, the body of another female runner, Damaris Mutua, was found in a home in the Rift Valley town of Iten, with a pillow over her face. She had been strangled, according to reports.

This incident occurred just months after record-breaking long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same town of Iten.

Cheptegei placed 44th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August. Her entry into the 2024 Olympics followed her gold medal win at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.

Rebecca Cheptegei remains in critical condition. Police have confirmed that an investigation is currently underway.