Ugandan Marathon Runner Rebecca Cheptegei in Critical Condition After Petrol Attack in Kenya

Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, is in critical condition after being doused with petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend in Kenya. The 33-year-old athlete suffered severe burns to over 75% of her body in the attack, which took place at her home in Endebess, western Kenya, where she had been training.

The incident occurred on Sunday as Cheptegei returned home from church with her two children. Local police reported that the altercation between Cheptegei and her ex-boyfriend escalated, leading to the horrific attack. Neighbors rescued Cheptegei, and both she and the alleged attacker, who also sustained serious burns, are being treated at Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

The attack has sparked renewed concerns about the rising cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya, some of which have tragically ended in death. Cheptegei, originally from Uganda, had moved to Kenya and built a home near Trans Nzoia county to take advantage of the country’s renowned athletic training centers.

Authorities have noted that the couple had been quarreling over land ownership, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Cheptegei’s athletic achievements include finishing 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics and winning gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.