The family of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has revealed new details about their daughter, who died after she was doused in petrol and hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).
Speaking during the visit to MTRH, the athlete’s father, Joseph Cheptegei said the marathoner was returning from church with her two children when she was targeted by the perpetrator identified as Dickson Ndiema.
Cheptegei alleged that Ndiema bought five liters of petrol in Endebess on Sunday September 1 and went to where Cheptegei lives, but they were at church at the time.
“When they returned, he began pouring petrol on the girl as she was running away. He poured it on her back before setting her ablaze,” Joseph Cheptegei said.
“She shouted to her younger sister to bring her a blanket, but the man tripped the girl and threatened her with a machete, causing her to run away.”
Family Reveals Cause of Wrangles
He also revealed that the two had been embroiled in a land tussle that had been reported at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) accusing the man of trying to defraud his child of her land.
Furthermore, he stated that this is not the first assault the suspect has had on his daughter, with previous fallouts being reported.
Cheptegei stated that his daughter chose to buy land in Kenya and build a house, as she conducted most of her training there while raising her two children.
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He added that she later met Ndiema, and a friendship developed, leading to them staying together. However, differences eventually forced them to part ways.
“The two stayed together while my daughter trained in Kenya, but he is not her husband. After some time, disputes arose concerning properties, and we even have a case with the DCI,” said the father.
“She had just returned from the Olympics after representing Uganda in a marathon and had come to Kenya due to a case filed with the police, but now this unfortunate incident has occurred.”
The athlete’s father added that on Friday, August 30, they were at the DCI and were instructed to return on Monday, September 2. However, on Sunday, Ndiema went and doused the marathoner in petrol.
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Rebecca Cheptegei Had 80% Burns
According to MTRH Acting CEO Dr. Owen Menach, who is the Director of Clinical Services and Surgery, they received athlete in critical condition from Kitale County Referral Hospital.
He added that the provided specialized treatment due to the severity of the injuries. Rebecca Cheptegei sustained 80 percent burn.
“The patient had burns of 80 per cent and is incubated, fully sedated due to the extent of the burns and she is in full support in terms of blood, water, medications and breathing through a ventilator,” Dr Menach said.
MTRH Anesthesiologist and Critical Care Specialist Dr Josephat Kerema said that the athlete also sustained inhalation burns which affected her throat and airwaves and doctors were working to prevent a multi-organ failure.
The family is now demanding that justice be served and has called on the government to assist them in ensuring their rights are upheld.
The 33-year-old Olympian finished 44th in the Paris games. Previously, she won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.
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