Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei is being treated in hospital for 75 percent burns after she was reportedly set on fire by her boyfriend.
Cheptegei had recently returned to Kenya after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she represented Uganda in the marathon.
Police have confirmed that Cheptegei was attacked at her home in western Trans Nzoia County, where she was training.
Cheptegei was allegedly set on fire by her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema.
Trans Nzoia County police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom said her ex-partner bought a can of petrol, poured it over her and set her on fire during a dispute on Sunday.
Rebecca Cheptegei is being treated in hospital after suffering 75 percent burns in an attack
“It is believed the friend sneaked into the compound around 2pm on Sunday while his wife and children were in church,” Kosiom said, according to the Standard.
When he returned, Dickson, who had fetched gasoline, began pouring gasoline over Rebecca before setting her on fire.
‘The couple were heard arguing outside their home. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.
‘The suspect was also caught in the fire and suffered serious burns.’
Cheptegei is currently being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret town.
Ndiema, who also suffered burns, is being treated at the same hospital.
The Uganda Athletics Federation confirmed the attack on social media.
‘We regret to inform you that our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has sustained serious injuries and has been admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
‘This follows an incident where her Kenyan boyfriend poured petrol over her and set her on fire.’
According to local reports, neighbors helped extinguish the flames. Both were taken to hospital with serious burns.
Cheptegei, pictured, finished 44th in the women’s marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics
According to Kenyan newspaper The Nation, police found a five-liter jerry can, a bag and a burnt phone at the scene of the incident.
The local police chief said the couple had been arguing over the land the house was on before the fire broke out.
Cheptegei is said to have bought the land in the Trans Nzoia region, near the Ugandan border, and built a house there.
The house is close to several training centres in Kenya.
