Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei"s body received by family after tragic death in Kenya

Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympic athlete, tragically died after being set on fire by her partner, Dickson Ndiema, in Kenya. The incident occurred following a dispute over a piece of land that Cheptegei had purchased. Ndiema, who also suffered burns in the attack, later died from his injuries. This incident marks a disturbing trend, as Cheptegei is the fourth female athlete to be killed by a partner in Kenya, highlighting the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in the region. On Friday, her body was received by family members and anti-femicide activists at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. The gathering included a march where participants chanted slogans against gender-based violence, emphasizing the urgent need for societal change. Viola Cheptoo, founder of Tirop Angels, expressed the collective frustration of the community, stating that they are tired of losing women to such violence. Cheptegei had recently competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing in 44th place just weeks before her death. Her father, Joseph, shared the family's grief and confirmed that her body would be taken to their home in Endebess before proceeding to Bukwo for a vigil and burial. He also revealed that the family had previously reported Ndiema's stalking and threats to the police. The high rates of violence against women in Kenya have prompted public outcry and marches, with statistics indicating that 41% of women in relationships have experienced violence from their partners. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to combat gender-based violence in society.