Paris Honours Rebecca Cheptegei as Uganda Gives Her State Burial

As Uganda gives Olympic marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei a full military burial today, tributes continue to pour in from across the world. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo recently announced that a sports facility in the French capital will be named in honour of the late athlete. This tribute was made during the 2024 Paralympic Games, where a written message and Cheptegei’s image were displayed on the big screen as spectators applauded in her honour.

Cheptegei’s death has not only highlighted her achievements as an athlete but has also drawn attention to the rising violence against women, particularly female athletes, in Kenya and beyond.

Cheptegei to Receive Full Military Honours

Cheptegei, who was a member of the Ugandan armed forces, will receive full military honours during her burial, in recognition of her service. Local leaders in her home district, Bukwo, eastern Uganda, have also moved to commemorate her legacy by naming a road and a sports venue after her. During a memorial service organised in her honour, Bukwo district councilors described Cheptegei as living “a simple and focused life,” noting that she had inspired many young athletes in the region to follow in her footsteps.

The councilors observed a moment of silence and gave her a standing ovation during the service. A military band played the Ugandan and East African anthems as a final tribute to the fallen athlete.

A Tragic End: Attack and Death

Cheptegei’s death followed a brutal attack by her former boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, over a land dispute. He allegedly set her on fire outside her home after dousing her with fuel. Rebecca Cheptegei, a mother of two, had been returning from a church service when the attack occurred. She was taken to the hospital with burns covering 80% of her body, and doctors reported that she died from multiple-organ failure four days later. Ndiema, who was also burned in the attack, died from his injuries shortly after.

During her time in the hospital, Cheptegei managed to speak briefly with her pastor. Her first concern was for her children, who were unharmed. She later questioned why Ndiema, someone she had helped in the past, would commit such a horrific act: “You mean Dickson can’t remember all I’ve done for him? He couldn’t recall even one or two things I did for him, and still decided to set me on fire? Why would he do such a thing to me?”

On Friday, family, friends, and gender rights activists gathered to view her coffin in Eldoret, Kenya, before it was transported for burial. Her grieving mother, Agnes Ceptegei, carried a souvenir bag from the recent Paris Olympics, where Rebecca had competed and finished 44th in the marathon. Agnes wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the words, “Being a woman should not be a death sentence.”

A Spotlight on Violence Against Female Athletes

Cheptegei’s tragic death is part of a disturbing pattern of violence against female athletes in Kenya. She is the third high-profile athlete to be killed in the country within three years. In 2021, world record holder Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death, and just months later, Damaris Mutua was strangled, with their romantic partners identified as the primary suspects in both cases.

This wave of violence has drawn national and international concern, with a 2022 survey revealing that 34% of Kenyan women have experienced physical violence. Observers say female athletes are increasingly becoming targets due to their independence and rejection of traditional gender roles. Joan Chelimo, the founder of Tirop’s Angels, an organisation advocating against violence towards women, noted that these athletes “no longer follow traditional gender norms, where a woman is expected to stay in the kitchen and take care of children. Now, female athletes are independent, even financially.”

Rachel Kamweru, spokesperson for Kenya’s Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, condemned the violence and urged action: “We don’t want this kind of thing to happen to any other woman, whether an athlete, a village woman, or a young girl.”

A Life of Athletic Achievement and Dedication

Determination and tenacity were hallmarks of Rebecca Cheptegei’s athletic career. She joined the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in 2008, which supported her training and career. Despite finishing 44th in her last marathon race at the Paris Olympics, she remained a beloved figure in her community, where people hailed her as a “champion.”

Cheptegei’s most notable achievement came in 2022 when she won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Her legacy as both an athlete and a soldier will endure, with her story serving as an inspiration to countless others and a call to address the violence facing women today.

Mimi Mefo Info