Ugandan athlete in hospital after Kenya petrol attack
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition at a Kenyan hospital after allegedly being attacked by a former boyfriend, who reportedly doused her in petrol and set her on fire.
The 33-year-old marathon runner, who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, suffered burns covering more than 75% of her body, according to police. The assault occurred at her home in western Kenya, where she had been training.
This incident has raised concerns about the growing instances of violence against female athletes in Kenya, some of which have resulted in fatalities.
Neighbors reportedly rescued Ms. Cheptegei following the attack on Sunday in the small town of Endebess. The alleged attacker also sustained serious burns, as confirmed by local police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom.
Both individuals are receiving treatment at Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the regional hub. Mr. Kosiom stated that the altercation, which involved the boyfriend pouring a liquid on Ms. Cheptegei before setting her ablaze, was witnessed by others.
Ms. Cheptegei, who hails from just across the border in Uganda, had purchased land in Trans Nzoia county and built a house to be closer to Kenya’s athletic training centers. According to a local administrator’s report, the couple had been in disputes over this property. An investigation is currently underway.
In the recent Paris Olympics, Ms. Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon. She also claimed gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.
In April 2022, another female runner, Damaris Mutua, was found strangled in a home with a pillow over her face in the Rift Valley town of Iten.
It came months after record-breaking long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same town.
Men have also been targeted.
Last December, another Ugandan athlete, Benjamin Kiplagat was stabbed to death by assailants in Eldoret.
