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Funeral Begins for Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, Killed by Ex-Boyfriend
Funeral services have commenced in Uganda for Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically died after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, nearly two weeks ago.
Ndiema attacked the 33-year-old athlete outside her home in north-west Kenya, near her training base, using petrol. Cheptegei sustained severe burns and passed away in hospital four days later, with doctors reporting that burns covering more than 80% of her body led to multi-organ failure.
The brutal nature of Cheptegei’s death has left her family and community devastated, and the incident has shocked people worldwide, highlighting the persistent issue of violence against women in Kenya. This is part of a growing pattern, with several female athletes becoming victims in recent years.
Cheptegei, who was a member of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, is receiving full military honours at her funeral. Her coffin, draped in the Ugandan flag, was displayed during a memorial service in her home district of Bukwo. Local leaders paid their respects by observing a moment of silence and applauding her contributions to athletics and the community.
Described as a “simple and focused” individual, Cheptegei inspired many children in her hometown to pursue athletics. Local councillors proposed naming a road and a sports venue in her honour to preserve her legacy.
Cheptegei will be laid to rest later on Saturday at her father’s homestead in Bukwo, Uganda.
Her tragic death is part of a disturbing trend of violence against female athletes in Kenya. Over the past three years, Cheptegei is the third prominent athlete to be killed, following the deaths of world-record holder Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua six months later. Both were murdered by current or former romantic partners.
Ndiema, who suffered burns from the fuel splashing onto him during the attack, died on Monday. The attack occurred after Cheptegei returned from a service at her church, God’s Dwelling Ministry. Pastor Caroline Atieno, who described her as a “God-fearing” person, spoke to Cheptegei in the hospital, where the athlete expressed shock and heartbreak over the betrayal.
Cheptegei’s mother, Agnes, was overcome with grief at a viewing in Eldoret, Kenya, before her daughter’s coffin was transported to Uganda. Wearing a T-shirt that read “being a woman should not be a death sentence,” she carried a souvenir bag from the Paris Olympics, where her daughter had last competed, finishing 44th in the marathon.
Cheptegei’s story underscores a growing concern for women’s safety in Kenya, where a 2022 survey revealed that at least 34% of women reported experiencing physical violence. Many believe that female athletes face heightened risks due to their increasing financial independence, which challenges traditional gender norms.
Joan Chelimo, co-founder of Tirop’s Angels, an organization advocating against violence toward women, emphasized the need for action: “We don’t want this to happen to any other woman, whether an athlete or from the village.”
Cheptegei was remembered as a champion, both in her local community and internationally. In addition to competing in the Paris Olympics, she won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand in 2022.
Source:locotvgh.com