Family of Ugandan Olympian Cheptegei cries for justice

The family of Ugandan female Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who participated in the 10,000 meters race at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, has called for stern action against the perpetrators of an assault that left her with 75 percent burns on her body following an altercation with her alleged boyfriend last Sunday.

Cheptegei, who is fighting for her light in an ICU at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, suffered the attack at her residence in Kinyoro, Endebess constituency in Trans-Nzoia County, early Sunday.

According to area chief Mrs. Rose Chebet, the suspect, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, doused her with petrol before setting her on fire shortly after she arrived at her home from church.

However, neighbors arrived and saved his life before rushing her to Kitale Level Four Hospital for emergency treatment.

Marangach also sustained hands and face burns after he caught fire when he lit the matchstick.

Her parents, Agnes Cheptegei and Joseph Cheptegei said this is not the first assault the suspect has had on their daughter, with previous fallouts being reported.  

Their sentiments were echoed by Rebecca's brother, Paul Sabila, who intimated to Citizen Digital that the incident was caused by a dispute over the land that her sister had bought using the money that she got after participating in different games.

"We plead with the government to ensure justice is served. I can't imagine a person decided to burn another person using petrol without concrete reason to do that, " Mr. Cheptegei decried.  

"I call on the government to assist us to get justice for our daughter Rebeccah," Mrs. Cheptegei added.

According to Trans-Nzoia Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom, a yellow five-liter bag and a black Marvin believed to belong to Marianganch were collected from the scene for further investigations.

Athletics Kenya Trans-Nzoia branch Secretary Evans Rono condemned the evil act, asking the police to speed up investigations.

"The information we have gathered is that there has been a misunderstanding between Rebecca and the accused; we have faith that the police will carry out a speedy investigation into the matter reported," said Rono.

Previously, she won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.

In April 2022, a female athlete from  Rift Valley, Iten, Damaris  Mutua,  was found dead with a pillow on her face, an incident that happened months after long-distance runner  Agnes  Tirop was found stabbed in the same town.