The body of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically died after being set on fire by her partner in Kenya, was received by her family on Friday. Her relatives, joined by anti-femicide activists, gathered at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s morgue in Eldoret to honor her memory ahead of her burial scheduled for the following day.
Cheptegei’s death marks yet another devastating instance of gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya, a country that has seen several female athletes lose their lives at the hands of their partners in recent years. She is the fourth athlete to suffer such a fate, sparking renewed calls for action against GBV.
Activists and family members, visibly heartbroken, marched in solidarity with the Cheptegei family, chanting slogans against femicide and demanding justice for women affected by GBV. Viola Cheptoo, founder of Tirop Angels, an organization dedicated to combating violence against athletes in memory of Agnes Tirop, another runner murdered by her partner in 2021, expressed her grief and frustration. “We are here to say enough is enough. We are tired of burying our sisters due to GBV,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion.
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The somber mood at the morgue reflected the enormity of the loss. Cheptegei, whose body was burned beyond recognition, had sustained 80% burns after her partner, Dickson Ndiema, doused her with gasoline and set her on fire. Ndiema himself suffered burns and later died from his injuries. According to reports from local authorities, the couple had been quarreling over a piece of land Cheptegei had purchased in Kenya.
Just weeks before the attack, Cheptegei had competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th. Her father, Joseph, was visibly distressed as he spoke to reporters. “We are in the final part of giving my daughter the last respect,” he said, struggling to contain his grief. He also revealed that the family had informed the police about Ndiema’s threats, but no action had been taken in time to prevent the tragedy.
After a brief stop at their home in the Endebess area, Cheptegei’s body will be taken to Bukwo in eastern Uganda for a night vigil, with the burial planned for Saturday.
The alarming rates of violence against women in Kenya continue to spark outrage, prompting citizens to organize marches and protests across the country. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, 41% of dating or married women in Kenya have experienced physical or sexual violence from their partners. Cheptegei’s tragic death serves as a chilling reminder of the urgency of tackling gender-based violence, not only in Kenya but worldwide.
