Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, has tragically passed away after being set on fire by her alleged boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach.

Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, after days of intensive care. 

MTRH acting Director Dr. Owen Menach confirmed that Cheptegei's organs failed on Wednesday night, leading to her untimely death. She had sustained severe burns covering 80% of her body after Marangach doused her with petrol and set her ablaze.

The attack occurred at Cheptegei's home in Endebes, Trans Nzoia, where Marangach reportedly snuck in with a five-litre jerrican of petrol. The athlete had just returned from church with her children when the horrifying assault took place. Neighbours, alarmed by the commotion, rushed to the scene and rescued both Cheptegei and Marangach, who had also sustained burns on 30% of his body. They were both rushed to a nearby hospital before being transferred to MTRH for specialised treatment.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the athletics community and the public, raising questions about the nature of the relationship between Cheptegei and Marangach, and the circumstances that led to the brutal attack.

Family Speaks Out

Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, the athlete’s father, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of his daughter, clarifying that the pair were not in a romantic relationship but were merely friends. According to Mzee Joseph, the two had been engaged in disputes, primarily over a land issue in Endebes.

“They were just friends, and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter,” he stated, revealing that the pair had an ongoing case under investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over their disagreements.

Mzee Cheptegei also mentioned that Rebecca had two children, with their father residing in Uganda, emphasizing that Marangach’s actions came as a complete shock to the family, especially since the two had been separated for a long time.

Investigations Ongoing

The attack has shocked the public and raised serious questions about the circumstances leading up to the assault. The DCI is continuing investigations to determine the full nature of the relationship between Cheptegei and Marangach, as well as the land dispute that may have contributed to the tragic incident.

Meanwhile, Dr. Menach and his team at MTRH are set to release a detailed report on the medical efforts undertaken to save Cheptegei’s life. The athletic community and the public have expressed outrage over the incident, calling for justice for the athlete whose promising life and career were violently cut short.