Dickson Ndiema Marangach, the man responsible for the tragic attack on Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei, has died from injuries sustained during the assault. According to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya, Marangach succumbed to his injuries late Monday night.
On September 1, Marangach attacked Cheptegei at her home in western Kenya. The Olympic athlete, who had recently competed in the Paris Games, suffered severe burns covering 80% of her body and passed away last week. Marangach, who also sustained significant burns, was being treated in the intensive care unit at MTRH.
A hospital official confirmed Marangach’s death and indicated that a detailed statement will be provided later. This incident has sparked outrage and deep sadness, highlighting the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in Kenya. Since 2021, at least two other athletes have been victims of such violence.
Cheptegei, who was preparing for her burial on September 14 near her family home in eastern Uganda, was attacked while her daughters were present. The assault reportedly stemmed from a dispute over property between Cheptegei and Marangach. Marangach had purchased petrol and concealed himself before launching the attack, and when Cheptegei’s sister tried to help, he threatened her with a machete.
The disturbing nature of this crime is part of a broader issue in Kenya, where gender-based violence is a significant problem. The UN reported 725 cases of femicide in 2022, and Kenya’s National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 34% of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Cheptegei’s death follows the tragic killings of Kenyan runners Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua in 2022, both of whom were also victims of violence perpetrated by their partners.
