IN a tragic turn of events, Dickson Ndiema, the ex-boyfriend of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, has succumbed to severe burns sustained while carrying out a fatal attack on Cheptegei. The 33-year-old marathon runner, who competed in the 2023 Paris Olympics, was ambushed by Ndiema over a land dispute in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia County.
Ndiema reportedly doused Cheptegei in petrol and set her on fire, but in the process, ignited himself as well. Both were admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where Cheptegei passed away on Thursday, four days after the attack. Ndiema, who had burns covering more than 40 percent of his body, died from respiratory failure due to severe airway burns.
The incident has sparked outrage, with many mourning the loss of Cheptegei, a national hero. It also highlights the growing concern over violence against women in Kenya, where a 2022 national survey revealed that 34 percent of women had experienced physical violence. This marks the third death of a female athlete in Kenya over the past three years, following similar incidents involving athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua.
Cheptegei, who was born in Kenya but represented Uganda, had an illustrious career, including winning gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. She will be buried at her ancestral home in Bukwo, Uganda, on Saturday.
With the death of the suspect, the criminal case has been dropped, and an inquest into both deaths will be opened.
