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≡ TRAGEDY IN KENYA ≡
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”
That’s from the Uganda Athletics Federation on Thursday, reporting a horrific end to the story of the Paris women’s Olympic marathoner who was doused with gasoline, set on fire and suffered burns over 75% of her body. According to an AIPS Media report:
“Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the Olympic marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffered the brutal attack in her house in western Trans Nzoia County. Her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, doused her with petrol, which he had bought, and set her on fire during a disagreement on Sunday, Trans Nzoia police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said. Local media reported that Marangach secretly entered Cheptigei’s home while she and her children were at church.”
Cheptegei and Ndiema Marangach were taken to a local hospital and transferred to larger facility in Eldoret. Cheptegei was reported on Wednesday to be in critical condition, but at 5:30 a.m. local time, at age 33. Kenyan media reported that Ndiema Manangach was admitted with 30% burns, and that the two had been quarreling over the use of Cheptegei’s property. He is reported in stable condition, under police custody; no information on any criminal charges has been reported as yet and the investigation is ongoing.
Reuters cited a Kenyan government survey from 2022, in which nearly 34% of Kenyan girls and women aged 15-49 years reported to have suffered physical violence. Married women are at particular risk, with 41% having faced violence.
CNN noted Kenyan reports that Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, had told Kenyan authorities that his daughter was in danger:
“I blame her death on negligence by the government because the authorities should have taken it seriously when we first reported that this man [Ndiema] had become problematic and he was fighting her. We reported to the police, to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations but they didn’t take any action to save her life.”
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (GER) said in a statement:
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn about Rebecca Cheptegei’s death following the horrible attack against her. Rebecca’s participation in the Paris 2024 women’s marathon was a source of inspiration, pride and joy. Our hearts and thoughts go out to her family, in particular her children, her friends and the Olympic community in Uganda.”
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe (GBR) said in a post:
“Our sport has lost a talented athlete in the most tragic and unthinkable circumstances. Rebecca was an incredibly versatile runner who still had lots left to give on the roads, mountains and cross country trails.
“I have been in touch with our Council Members in Africa to see how we can help not only in our capacity as governing body of the sport Rebecca competed in, but to assess how our safeguarding policies might be enhanced to include abuse outside of the sport, and bringing together stakeholders from all areas of athletics to combine forces to protect our female athletes to the best of our abilities from abuse of all kinds.”
Cheptegei won the Up-and-Downhill Mountain race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in 2022, and had a marathon best of 2:22:47 from 2022. She finished 14th at the 2023 World Championships women’s marathon in Budapest.
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