ELDORET, September 5, 2024 – Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has passed on, according to Kenyan news outlet The Star. She died at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital [MTRH] in Eldoret where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit [ICU].
MTRH Acting Director Dr Owen Menach confirmed Cheptegei died last night after all her organs failed.
“Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed last night,” said Dr Menach.
He said the hospital would give a full report on the matter later in the day.
Cheptegei sustained 80 per cent burn injuries after her alleged boyfriend doused her body with petrol and set her on fire.
The burns damaged most of her organs.
The said boyfriend Dickson Ndiema Marangach also sustained burn injuries during the attack.
He was also admitted to the same ICU facility with about 30 per cent burns.
On Sunday, Marangach is said to have sneaked into Cheptegei’s home with a five-litre jerrican full of petrol.
Neighbours had a commotion and rescued the two who were rushed to hospital in critical condition.
They were later referred to MTRH.
The athlete’s father Mzee Joseph Cheptegiei clarified that the two were just friends for some time.
He claimed they had been quarrelling over her land at Endebes in Trans Nzoia where the attack occurred.
“They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter,” Mzee Cheptegei stated.
The father said the two had a case which was being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation [DCI].
He said the athlete has two children whose father is a different person living in Uganda.
Mzee Cheptegei said the two had separated for long but on Sunday the Marangach sneaked into the home where he staged the attack.
Cheptegei represented Uganda at the recently–concluded Paris Olympic Games.
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