Residents of Kinyoro in Trans-Nzoia County have been left in shock after Paris Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei suffered a brutal attack by her partner Dickson Ndiema Marangach on Sunday, September 2.
Cheptegei had a domestic dispute with her boyfriend which quickly turned physical, with the Ugandan 10,000-metre runner suffering severe burns.
According to a report filed by area chief Rose Chebet, Marangach, snuck into Cheptegei's compound at around 2 pm while the athlete and their children were in church.
An altercation ensued upon Cheptegei's return as her husband poured petrol on her before proceeding to light the 33-year-old on fire. In the melee, Marangach also burnt himself.
Cheptegei's screams alerted the neighbours, who rushed the couple to Kitale Level Four Hospital.
On Tuesday, the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) released a statement, saying "We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire to her"
Trans Nzoia county police commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom also confirmed the incident, saying Cheptegei had suffered 75 per cent burns.
At the scene, police found a 5-litre yellow jerrycan, a bag, a black beanie believed to belong to Marangach and a burnt mobile phone.
Cheptegei has since been transferred to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret where she is fighting for her life.
The unfortunate incident comes just weeks after Cheptegei ran a marathon at the Paris Olympics alongside her Ugandan counterparts Stella Chesang and Mercy Chelangat. She finished in 48th place.
She is no stranger to the tracks, having taken part in the 2021 World Mountain and Trail Running championships.
Marangach is expected to be charged in court once investigations have been concluded.
