- She passed on at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret where she was admitted to the ICU.
- MTRH acting Director Dr Owen Menach confirmed she died last night after all her organs failed
Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei was aged 33 years and has been an athlete for over 15 years. https://shorturl.at/VOKDU
Image: SCREENGRAB
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has passed on.
She died at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret where she was admitted to the ICU.
MTRH acting Director Dr Owen Menach confirmed she 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.
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.
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 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.