OLYMPIC athlete Rebecca Cheptegei’s daughter desperately tried to save her mum as she was allegedly set on fire by her ex-partner.
The marathon runner, 33, died from organ failure after her former boyfriend reportedly snuck into her home and lay in wait before dousing her in petrol and setting her alight.
Local officials named Dickson Ndiema as her alleged attacker, with reports suggesting the pair were locked in a bitter land dispute.
He reportedly let himself into Cheptegei’s home on Sunday while she was at church with her two children, aged 9 and 11.
Cops said he set her alight during an argument, leaving her with horror burns over more than 75 per cent of her body as she was rushed to hospital on Sunday afternoon.
One of Cheptegei’s unnamed daughters told Kenyan paper The Standard: “‘He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother.”
Describing the harrowing incident, she said: “I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible.”
Cheptegei’s emotional dad Joseph and sister Evalyne spoke to journalists at a press conference this week and expressed their hopes for justice.
Joseph said: “The criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing.
“He is still free and might even flee.”
Joseph also told press that Cheptegei’s children are not fathered by the man who allegedly killed her.
He previously described Ndiema as an “animal” who tormented his daughter for months before the horrific alleged attack.
Joseph corroborated police statements that the pair had recently been arguing over a plot of land she bought in Endebess, Trans Nzoia county.
He told The Star: “They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter.”
Acting director at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, Dr Owen Menach, confirmed she died on Wednesday evening from organ failure after several days in intensive care.
Ndiema allegedly used a matchstick to set Cheptegei alight and was also engulfed by flames, Nation Africa reports.
He is reportedly being treated in hospital with burns across 30 per cent of his body.
Trans Nzoia is a region in Kenya, some 400km northwest of Nairobi.
Cheptegei, from Uganda, had purchased land there to be closer to Kenya’s athletic training facilities.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation read: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence.
“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice.
“May her soul rest In Peace.”
Meanwhile World Athletics president Lord Coe said: “Our sport has lost a talented athlete in the most tragic and unthinkable circumstances.
“Rebecca was an incredibly versatile runner who still had lots left to give on the roads, mountains and cross country trails.”
He said the organisation is investigating how their “safeguarding policies might be enhanced to include abuse outside of the sport”.
By Ellie Doughty, Foreign News Reporter
Rebecca Cheptegei, who has died aged 33, was a Ugandan cross country, long distance and marathon runner.
She had represented Uganda at global competitions since 2010 including the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and World Athletics Championships.
In 2022, she won gold in the mountain race at the inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.
Cheptegei also won the Padova marathon in Italy that year, before finishing second in the Abu Dhabi marathon in just over two hours and 20 minutes – the second fastest time by a female Ugandan.
She finished 14th in the marathon at last year’s World Championships in Budapest.
Cheptegei most recently competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s marathon race.
She finished in 44th place in just two hours and 32 minutes.
According to local reports, Cheptegei had two children.
She had recently moved to Trans Nzoia County to be closer to Kenya’s athletic training facilities.
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
