Ugandan Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Being Set on Fire by Her Partner in Kenya
Body Received by Family and Anti-Femicide Crusaders Ahead of Burial
The body of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who died after being set on fire by her partner in Kenya, was received by her family and anti-femicide crusaders on Friday ahead of her burial the following day.
Background of the Incident
Cheptegei’s family met with dozens of activists who had marched to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s morgue in Eldoret, Kenya, while chanting anti-femicide slogans.
She is the fourth female athlete to have been killed by her partner in Kenya in a case of gender-based violence in recent years.
Response from Anti-Femicide Crusaders
Viola Cheptoo, the founder of Tirop Angels, an organization formed in honor of athlete Agnes Tirop, who was stabbed to death in 2021, said stakeholders need to ensure this is the last death of an athlete due to gender-based violence.
“We are here to say that enough is enough, we are tired of burying our sisters due to GBV,” she said.
About the Incident
The incident occurred when Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, set her on fire after quarreling over a piece of land. Ndiema sustained 30% burns on his body and later succumbed.
Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.
Aftermath and Funeral Arrangements
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, said the body will make a brief stop at their home in the Endebess area before proceeding to Bukwo in eastern Uganda for a night vigil and burial on Saturday.
“We are in the final part of giving my daughter the last respect,” a visibly distraught Joseph said.
Kenya’s High Rates of Violence Against Women
Kenya’s high rates of violence against women have prompted marches by ordinary citizens in towns and cities this year. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, four in 10 women or an estimated 41% of dating or married Kenyan women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their current or most recent partner.
Conclusion
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the need to address the root causes of gender-based violence and to ensure that all individuals, regardless of gender, are treated with respect and dignity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened to Rebecca Cheptegei?
- How did Cheptegei respond to the attack?
- What has been the response from anti-femicide crusaders?
- What are the statistics on violence against women in Kenya?
Cheptegei was set on fire by her partner, Dickson Ndiema, after quarreling over a piece of land.
Cheptegei suffered 80% burns after being doused with gasoline by Ndiema and later succumbed to her injuries.
Anti-femicide crusaders have demanded that stakeholders take action to ensure that this is the last death of an athlete due to gender-based violence.
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, four in 10 women or an estimated 41% of dating or married Kenyan women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their current or most recent partner.
