Ugandan Olympian Hospitalized in Intensive Care After Horrific Attack by Partner

In a shocking incident of gender-based violence, Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei is currently in intensive care at a Kenyan hospital after being brutally attacked by her partner. Cheptegei, a 33-year-old long-distance runner, was doused with petrol and set on fire by her Kenyan partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, according to local authorities.

The assault occurred on Sunday around 2:00 pm when Marangach allegedly snuck into Cheptegei’s home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County, while she and her children were at church. Upon their return, Marangach reportedly poured petrol on Cheptegei and ignited the flames, resulting in severe injuries for both of them.

“Neighbours quickly intervened, rescuing the pair and rushing them to Kitale County Referral Hospital, where they were treated for multiple burns,” the police report stated. They were later transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), where Cheptegei is currently in the intensive care unit. “Her condition is serious, with extensive facial burns and heavy bandaging,” an MTRH staff member shared, speaking anonymously.

The police have not confirmed whether Cheptegei’s children were harmed during the attack. The couple was known to have frequent disputes, according to the police report. Local media reported that Cheptegei sustained burns over 75 percent of her body, and her parents are traveling from Uganda to be by her side.

Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, had recently purchased land and built a home in Trans-Nzoia, which lies near the Ugandan border. The Ugandan Athletics Federation expressed deep regret over the incident, noting that Cheptegei had “suffered severe injuries” in the attack.

“This tragic event is a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of gender-based violence,” the Federation said in a statement on X.

Gender-Based Violence in Focus

According to a report by the Kenyan Bureau of National Statistics, 34 percent of women in Kenya have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. The report, published in January 2023, also noted that married women are more likely to face such violence, with 41 percent reporting incidents compared to 20 percent of unmarried women.

Cheptegei’s assault follows a series of tragic events in the athletic community. Two years ago, Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua was found dead in Iten, a renowned running hub in the Rift Valley. Her death was preceded by the murder of record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop, who was found stabbed to death in her home in 2021. Tirop’s estranged husband, Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich, is currently on trial for her murder, though he denies the charges.