Man Who Killed Rebecca Cheptegei Dies
The man accused of murdering Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died from burns he sustained during the attack. Cheptegei, who was set on fire by her former partner, passed away four days after the incident. Read More...
Sep 10, 2024: The man accused of killing Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died from burns he sustained during the attack. Cheptegei, 33, who competed in the Paris Olympics marathon, was set on fire by her former partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, on September 1 at her home in Kenya. Cheptegei, who suffered severe burns covering more than 75% of her body, died in hospital four days later.
Marangach, who was in critical condition, succumbed to his injuries in the hospital's intensive care unit on Monday night. Cheptegei’s death has once again highlighted the issue of domestic violence in Kenya, with her being the third elite sportswoman killed in the country since October 2021.
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Reports indicate that Cheptegei was attacked shortly after returning from church with her two young daughters. The assault occurred in the afternoon, and one of the daughters described trying to help her mother before being kicked by the attacker. Neighbors attempted to extinguish the flames but were unsuccessful.
According to local police, Marangach had been seen arguing with Cheptegei before dousing her with petrol and setting her on fire. Police discovered a five-litre jerry can and a burned phone at the scene. Cheptegei was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she later passed away due to organ failure.
The Uganda Athletics Federation condemned the act of violence and called for justice, while Kenyan authorities continue to investigate. Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has emphasized the need for stronger measures against gender-based violence.
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