Africa

Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being set ablaze by boyfriend

A Ugandan athlete living in Kenya, Rebecca Cheptegei, has died from severe burns received after being set ablaze by her boyfriend.

Cheptegei, a distance runner who finished 44th in the 2024 Paris Olympics, was attacked in her home in Trans Nzoia County.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom stated that the incident occurred during a dispute on Sunday.

Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly purchased a jerrican of petrol, poured it on the Ugandan athlete, and set her on fire. Ndiema also sustained burns during the attack. Both Cheptegei and Ndiema are currently receiving specialized care at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

Cheptegei’s parents mentioned that their daughter had purchased land in Trans Nzoia to be close to the county’s athletic training centers. A report from the local chief indicated that the couple was heard arguing about the land before the fire broke out.

This incident follows other tragic events involving athletes in the region. In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds, and in 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was discovered dead, with a postmortem revealing that she had been strangled.

Mimi Mefo Info

Kim Feh

Recent Posts

Cameroonians Among 11 Arrested in Nairobi Over Multi-Million Gold Scam

Detectives in Nairobi have arrested 11 suspects, including two Cameroonian nationals. They were arrested in…

1 hour ago

In Pictures – Labour Day 2025 Celebrated with Colour and Call for Rights in Bamenda

The 139th edition of International Labour Day was marked in Bamenda with a vibrant display…

2 hours ago

Traoré Thanks Supporters as Mass Rallies Reject Foreign Interference

Burkina Faso’s president, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has expressed his gratitude to supporters around the world…

2 hours ago

Fako Trade Unions Decry Non-payment of Salaries at Labour Day Celebration

Some trade unions in Fako Division, South West Region, are urging for better working conditions…

6 hours ago

Bokwaongo Royal Family Rejects Njie Mbonde’s Designation as Chief

By Tata Mbunwe The designation of journalist Albert Njie Mbonde as Chief of Bokwaongo village…

7 hours ago

Menka Village Responds to Separatist Attacks: Kidnapping and Recovery of Stolen Equipment

Youths in Menka, a village in the Pinyin area of Cameroon’s North West Region, have…

8 hours ago