Ugandan Olympian Cheptegei has tragically died after being set on fire by her boyfriend.

Marathon runner Cheptegei died aged 33 due to multiple organ failure after suffering 80 percent burns when her boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her on fire in 

Kenya.Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei's tragic death has brought renewed attention to Kenya’s troubling history of domestic violence against female athletes. Cheptegei, a Ugandan, was doused with petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend during a dispute. She succumbed to her injuries at a hospital in Eldoret four days later, having suffered 80% burns. Her boyfriend, who was also injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the same hospital, but no charges have been filed against him yet.

Cheptegei, aged 33, had competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics just a month before her death, finishing in 44th place. She had recently moved to western Kenya's renowned high-altitude training region to be closer to the area's training centers.

Her death follows a disturbing pattern of violence against female athletes in the region. In 2021, Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop was brutally murdered in Iten, another prominent training town. Tirop, who had just competed in the Tokyo Olympics and set a world record in the 10-kilometer road race, was found with stab wounds and blunt trauma. Her husband, who was initially on the run, has been charged with her murder, and the case is ongoing. Tirop’s murder sparked outrage and prompted a significant response from athletes and authorities alike, highlighting the pervasive issue of domestic abuse in the region.

Additionally, in early 2022, Kenyan-born runner Damaris Muthee, competing for Bahrain, was found dead in Iten after being strangled. The prime suspect, her Ethiopian partner, has been charged with her murder. Muthee, aged 28, left behind a young child from a previous relationship.

The cases of Cheptegei, Tirop, and Muthee underscore a broader issue of violence against women in Kenya. High-profile female athletes may be particularly vulnerable, as abusive partners may seek to control their finances and assets. The tragic pattern reflects not only a dire need for systemic change but also the urgent need for better protection and support for women in the athletics community.

The death of Samuel Wanjiru, Kenya’s Olympic marathon champion, in 2011 also adds to this grim narrative. Wanjiru died from a fall during an altercation with his wife. Despite police ruling the death as an accident or suicide, his family maintains that he was murdered.

These incidents highlight a pressing need for stronger measures to address and prevent domestic violence, especially within the context of Kenya's esteemed running community.