Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei’s Father Breaks Silence After Deadly Gasoline Attack

Ugandan Olympic marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically passed away from "full organ failure" just four days after her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly doused her with gasoline and set her on fire.

The brutal attack took place at her home in Trans Nzoia County, western Kenya, leaving the athlete with burns covering 75% of her body. Cheptegei, who placed 44th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was reportedly involved in a heated dispute with Ndiema before the horrific incident unfolded.

After losing his daughter, Rebecca Cheptegei's father is speaking out, calling for justice to be served.

Cheptegei, a mother of two, had just returned from church with her daughters on Sunday, September 1, when she was heard arguing with Ndiema about the land on which she had built their home. This dispute is believed to have led up to the tragic death of Cheptegei.

“I have a lot of grief because I’ve lost my daughter,” Joseph Cheptegei told reporters, per People Magazine, at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya, where the Olympian died. “I seek your help so that this person who has killed my daughter can be prosecuted.”

“As it is now, the criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing,” her father said. “He is still free and might even flee.”

According to a police report, Cheptegei was doused with gasoline and set on fire during a heated argument over land. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital confirmed that the 33-year-old athlete passed away on Thursday due to organ failure, as reported by hospital spokesperson Owen Menach.

"We have learnt of the sad passing of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei following a vicious attack by her boyfriend," Donald Rukare, head of the Uganda Olympic Committee, announced on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure."

Ndiema reportedly suffered "serious burns" and is currently receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Trans Nzoia police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom 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."

He added, "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."

Cheptegei isn’t the only Ugandan athlete to have faced violence in recent years. In April 2022, the body of fellow female runner Damaris Mutua was discovered in a home in Iten, Rift Valley, with a pillow over her face. Reports indicate she had been strangled. This followed the murder of record-breaking long-distance runner Agnes Tirop, who was found stabbed to death in Iten just months earlier.

The Uganda Athletics Federation released a statement following Cheptegei's death, saying it is "deeply saddened" by the passing of the Olympian.

"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence," the federation announced on Thursday, per ABC News. "As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice."

Police have confirmed that an investigation is currently underway.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.