Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei is receiving treatment in hospital for 75 per cent burns after allegedly being sent on fire by her boyfriend.
Cheptegei had recently returned to Kenya following the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she represented Uganda in the marathon.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?
Police have confirmed Cheptegei was attacked in her house in the western Trans Nzoia County, where she had been training.
Cheptegei had allegedly been set on fire by her former boyfriend Dickson Ndiema.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said her former partner had bought a can of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement on Sunday.
‘The boyfriend is believed to have sneaked into the compound at around 2pm on Sunday while the wife and the children were in Church,’ Kosiom said, as per the Kenyan newspaper The Standard.
‘Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her ablaze.
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HE WAS BURNT TOO
‘The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.
‘The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns.’
Cheptegei is currently being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.
Ndiema, who also sustained burns, is being treated at the same hospital.
