Rebecca Cheptegei, a celebrated Olympic marathon runner, tragically died last week from multiple organ failure after suffering severe burns in a brutal attack by her ex-boyfriend. The 33-year-old athlete, who represented Uganda in international competitions, was doused with petrol and set on fire outside her home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. According to eyewitness accounts, her assailant, identified as Dickson Ndiema, pursued her after she emerged from her home engulfed in flames, pouring more petrol on her as she screamed for help.

Agnes Barabara, a neighbor, recounted the horrifying scene to the BBC, describing how she saw Cheptegei running towards her house on fire. Despite the frantic efforts of neighbors to extinguish the flames, the injuries proved too severe. Cheptegei was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret with burns covering 80% of her body. Although she was initially stabilized, her condition deteriorated, and she succumbed to her injuries last Wednesday.

Authorities have named Ndiema as the prime suspect in what is being treated as a murder case. He also sustained burns during the attack and is currently recovering in hospital under police watch. He will face charges once he is deemed fit for detention. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, expressing frustration over Ndiema’s continued freedom while hospitalized.

Cheptegei, a former sergeant in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, was known for her remarkable achievements in long-distance running. In 2022, she won gold in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand and claimed victory at the Padova marathon in Italy. Her death has drawn widespread tributes, including from World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe, who pledged to improve safeguarding policies to better protect female athletes.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation condemned the act of domestic violence that led to Cheptegei’s death, calling for justice. Fellow athletes, including Ugandan runner James Kirwa, mourned the loss of a friend and mentor who was admired both on and off the track.

As Kenya grapples with a rise in gender-based violence, this tragic incident has highlighted the urgent need for action to protect women. Paris, where Cheptegei competed in the Olympics just weeks before her death, has proposed naming a sports venue in her honor, underscoring her enduring legacy and the global impact of her tragic story.