Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympic marathon runner, is reportedly fighting for her life after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend in a horrific attack. The incident occurred shortly after Cheptegei returned to Kenya following her participation in the Paris Olympics.
According to police reports, the attack took place at Cheptegei’s home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The Trans Nzoia County Police Commander, Jeremiah ole Kosiom, stated that the suspect, identified as her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema, allegedly bought a can of petrol, poured it on Cheptegei, and set her ablaze during a heated argument on Sunday.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, spoke from the hospital, revealing that the altercation was sparked by a dispute over his daughter’s land in Endebes, Trans Nzoia. He expressed shock and disbelief at the tragic turn of events.
“They were just friends, and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter,” Joseph Cheptegei told Kenyan newspaper The Star. He also disclosed that Cheptegei’s two children were fathered by a different man who resides in Uganda.
Joseph Cheptegei claimed that his daughter and Ndiema had been separated for a long time and were involved in a legal dispute currently under investigation by Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Both Cheptegei’s father and Police Commander Kosiom reported that Ndiema allegedly sneaked into her home to carry out the attack.
“The suspect is believed to have entered the compound around 2 p.m. on Sunday while Rebecca and her children were at church,” Kosiom said, as reported by Kenyan newspaper The Standard. “Upon her return, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before setting her on fire.”
Witnesses reported hearing the couple quarrelling outside the house before the attack. The suspect also sustained serious burns in the fire he set and is now being treated at the same hospital as Cheptegei.
Dr. Owen Menach, who is treating Cheptegei at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, described her condition as critical. “She has sustained both external and inhalation burns. She is a high-profile patient, and we are doing everything we can to save her life,” Dr. Menach told The Star. He added that the alleged attacker, Ndiema, is in a more stable condition despite suffering 30 percent burns.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation confirmed the attack on social media, expressing deep regret over the incident. “We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics, has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalised at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret,” the Federation stated.
As Cheptegei remains in critical condition, her family, friends, and fans are hoping for her recovery while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
Source: https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/
