Uganda’s Rebecca Cheptegei dies from burns sustained in attack

NAIROBI, Kenya – Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died in a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after suffering burns to 80 percent of her body as a result of an attack by her partner.

A hospital spokesman, Owen Menach, confirmed her death on Thursday. Cheptegei was being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commissioner Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Monday that Cheptegei’s partner Dickson Ndiema bought a jerrycan of petrol during an argument on Sunday, poured it on her and set her on fire. Ndiema also suffered burns and was being treated at the same hospital.

Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be close to the county’s many sports training centres.

A report from the local chief states that the couple was heard arguing over the land on which the house was built before the fire broke out.