In a tragic incident, Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who had participated in the Paris Olympics, was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema. The horrifying event took place earlier this month when Dickson poured petrol on Rebecca and set her on fire during a heated argument at her home in Kenya’s Trans-Nzoia County. Sadly, Rebecca succumbed to her injuries after sustaining severe burns.
A Dispute Turns Deadly
According to reports, the two had been in a dispute over a piece of land, which led to this fatal confrontation. During the argument, Dickson brought a jerrycan of petrol, doused Rebecca with it, and set her on fire. Unfortunately, he too was burned in the process. While both were rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, neither survived. Rebecca passed away due to severe burns that affected more than 75% of her body, while Dickson, whose body was 30% burned, also died later during treatment.
Rebecca Cheptegei: A Promising Athlete
Born on February 22, 1991, in Uganda, Rebecca Cheptegei was an accomplished athlete. She had been actively participating in races since 2010 and had a notable career in long-distance running and marathons. Rebecca won a gold medal at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022, and her achievements included competing in the marathon event at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th.
Dickson’s Death: A Grim Conclusion
While Dickson initially survived the incident, his injuries proved to be fatal. He passed away from his burns in the same hospital where Rebecca had died. The tragic end to both lives has left many in shock, highlighting the deep-rooted issues of violence and unresolved conflicts that can lead to such horrifying outcomes.
A Pattern of Violence in Kenyan Sports
This isn’t the first time such violence has rocked the Kenyan sports community. In April 2022, runner Damaris Mutua was murdered, and just months before that, another athlete, Agnes Tirop, was fatally stabbed in the same region. These incidents, combined with alarming statistics showing that around 34% of Kenyan women between the ages of 15-49 have experienced physical violence, paint a grim picture of ongoing violence in the country.
The heartbreaking deaths of Rebecca Cheptegei and others raise concerns about the safety of athletes and the urgent need to address violence in sports and society.
