The funeral for Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, tragically killed in a brutal attack, will take place on September 14 in her home country. The 33-year-old athlete, who had competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics last month, passed away in Kenya after suffering severe burns from a horrifying assault by her boyfriend.
Rebecca’s life was cut short on Thursday, just four days after being set on fire at her home in western Kenya. According to Beatrice Ayikoru, secretary-general of the Uganda Olympic Committee, her burial will be held in Kongasis, Bukwo District, located in eastern Uganda near the Kenyan border.
Her untimely death has sparked grief and outrage, drawing attention to the increasing problem of gender-based violence in Kenya. Rebecca, a record-breaking marathoner and sergeant in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, was a celebrated figure, admired for her strength and versatility as a runner.
Authorities confirmed that Rebecca had sustained burns covering over 80% of her body following the violent attack by her Kenyan partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach. He also suffered burns and is currently receiving medical treatment. Witnesses to this devastating incident were Cheptegei’s children, aged 9 and 11.
The city of Paris has announced plans to honor Rebecca by naming a sports venue after her in recognition of her dedication and accomplishments in athletics. Tributes have poured in from around the world, with World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressing deep sorrow over her death. He called Rebecca a talented athlete with much more to achieve in the sport, and emphasized the importance of enhancing safeguarding measures to protect female athletes from abuse.
Cheptegei’s death highlights the ongoing crisis of domestic violence in Kenya, with Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen urging that more needs to be done to address gender-based violence. This incident marks the third case of a female athlete losing her life at the hands of a partner since 2021, underscoring the urgency of tackling this pervasive issue.
