In the incident that took place in Eldoret, a city in western Kenya, Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, a world-class cross-country, long-distance and marathon runner, was at church with her two children when her ex-lover sneaked into her house. It was alleged that the couple, who had previously argued in the street during the incident on Sunday, continued to argue after Cheptegei arrived home. According to information given by the local Police Chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom, the ex-lover who sneaked into the house doused the Olympic runner with gasoline and then burned her with a matchstick.
75 PERCENT OF HIS BODY WAS BURNED
After the incident, neighbors rushed to help and reported it to the police and medical teams. Cheptegei, who was found to have 75 percent burns on his body, lost his life in the Intensive Care Unit of Moi Training and Referral Hospital, where he was taken. It was learned that Cheptegei lost his life after all of his organs failed.
A FIVE-LITER CAN WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE
According to the news in Kenyan newspaper The Nation, a five-litre jerry can, a bag and a burnt phone were found at the scene.
Cheptegei, who is from a region bordering Uganda, reportedly bought land in the Trans Nzoia Region and built a house there to be closer to Kenya’s athletic training facilities. A local administrator reportedly said the former couple had a dispute over the land.
”AS A FEDERATION, WE CONDEMN SUCH ACTIONS”
On Thursday morning, the Uganda Athletics Federation posted the following message on social media regarding Cheptegei. The federation said: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who was a victim of domestic violence, early this morning. As a federation, we condemn such acts and demand justice. May her soul rest in peace.”
SOCIAL MEDIA IS ON ITS FEET
Social media users who heard about the athlete’s violent death could not remain silent. Users commented, “May he rest in peace”, “I am so sorry, I watched his race many times” and “Dear Ugandans and his family, we are sorry. This is heartbreaking”.
Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare said of the brutality: “This was a cowardly and senseless act that resulted in the loss of a great athlete. His legacy will live on.”