Rebecca Cheptegei in Critical Condition After Alleged Attack

Rebecca Cheptegei the Ugandan marathon runner remains in critical condition in a Kenyan hospital after her former boyfriend allegedly attacked her. The 33-year-old athlete, who recently competed in the Paris Olympics suffered severe burns when her attacker reportedly doused her with petrol and set her on fire. The attack occurred on Sunday at her home in Endebess, Kenya where she had been training.

Cheptegei had just returned from church with her two children when the attack occurred. Neighbors rescued her after the assault. Police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom reported that during a quarrel outside their home, the boyfriend poured a liquid on Cheptegei and set her ablaze. The alleged attacker, who also sustained serious burns had argued with Cheptegei before the incident.

Cheptegei from Uganda had recently bought land and built a house in Trans Nzoia county to stay close to Kenya’s athletic training centers. Police suspect that the property dispute led to the attack. Both Cheptegei and the alleged attacker are receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. Dr. Owen Benach, the hospital’s senior director of clinical services, confirmed that the hospital had to heavily sedate Cheptegei due to the severity of her injuries.

He assured that the facility can manage the situation. Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei has demanded justice for his daughter. In addition to finishing 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, Rebecca Cheptegei won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai in 2022. This case highlights the increasing violence against female athletes in Kenya.

Previous incidents include the murders of runners Damaris Mutua and Agnes Tirop both killed by their partners and the stabbing death of Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat last December.