Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei is receiving treatment in hospital for 75 per cent burns after allegedly being sent on fire by her boyfriend.
Cheptegei had recently returned to Kenya following the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she represented Uganda in the marathon.
Police have confirmed Cheptegei was attacked in her house in the western Trans Nzoia County, where she had been training.
Cheptegei had allegedly been set on fire by her former boyfriend Dickson Ndiema.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said her former partner had bought a can of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday.
Rebecca Cheptegei is receiving treatment in hospital after receiving 75 per burns in an attack
Cheptegei is currently being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.
Ndiema, who also sustained burns, is being treated at the same hospital.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation confirmed the attack on social media.
‘We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalised at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
‘This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her.’
A police report stated that the incident occurred around 2pm on Sunday, where Ndiema was claimed to have entered their house while Cheptegei and their children were in church.
He was reported to have poured petrol over Cheptegei, before setting her ablaze.
Neighbours helped to extinguish the flames, according to local reports, with both being admitted to hospital with extensive burns.
Police discovered a five-litre jerry can, a bag, and a burned phone at the scene of the incident, according to Kenyan newspaper The Nation.
The local police chief stated that the couple had been heard fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire was started.
Cheptegei was reported to have bought the land in Trans Nzoia county, located close to the Uganadan border, and built a house.
The house is close to several training centres in Kenya.
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