Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei admitted to ICU after attack

Her alleged boyfriend is said to have poured petrol on her and set her body on fire.

In Summary
  • She was critically injured in the attack at her house at Kinyoro in Endebes Trans Nzoia county on Monday morning.
  • Police said she was attacked by her boyfriend who doused her with petrol and set her on fire
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei
Image: SCREENGRAB

Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei who sustained 75 percent burns after being attacked by an alleged boyfriend has been admitted to ICU at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

The man accused of the attack Dickson Ndiema Marangach is also admitted at the same ICU.

The hospital's acting CEO Dr Owen Menach confirmed that the two had been admitted to the ICU but he is expected to give a briefing on their condition.

Cheptegei participated in 10,000m race at the recent Paris Olympics.

She was critically injured in the attack at her house at Kinyoro in Endebes Trans Nzoia county on Monday morning.

Police said she was attacked by her boyfriend who doused her with petrol and set her on fire

“The man was also caught in the same fire and sustained serious burns”, said Trans Nzoia police commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom.

He said investigations established that the two had been frequently quarrelling over a plot and a house.

On Sunday, the man is said to have sneaked into the home with a five-litre jerrican full of petrol.

Cheptegei had gone to church with their children and when she returned, the man poured the petrol on her and lit fire.

Neighbours had a commotion and rescued the two who were rushed to hospital in critical condition.

Her parents Joseph Cheptegei and Agnes Ndiema said she had been initially admitted to Kitale Level Four Hospital but was referred to MTRH.

The parents live in Uganda but travelled to Trans Nzoia to learn about the attack which occurred early today

She is a resident of Cheminy in Uganda, but the parents said she had bought land in Trans Nzoia and built a house where she had been staying during her training.

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