Dickson Ndiema, the former partner of Ugandan athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, has died in the hospital after suffering severe burns from the same attack in which he set the Olympic runner on fire.
Rebecca Cheptegei, the renowned Olympic marathon runner, tragically passed away last week due to severe burns inflicted by her former partner, Dickson Ndiema.
Cheptegei, 33, was left with 80% burns after Ndiema threw petrol on her and set her alight during a heated argument. She succumbed to multiple organ failure at Eldoret’s Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Ndiema, who also suffered significant burns from the incident, was initially hospitalized and expected to face legal consequences once he recovered. However, he too succumbed to his injuries late last night.
The police suspect Ndiema was burned by the same petrol he used to attack Cheptegei, which stemmed from a dispute over land ownership.
The brutal attack occurred on Sunday, September 1, at Cheptegei’s residence in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya.
Neighbours heard the altercation and witnessed Cheptegei engulfed in flames. Despite their attempts to help, the flames could not be extinguished in time.
Agnes Barabara, a neighbour, described the horrific scene, stating, “When I came out, I saw Rebecca running towards my house on fire, shouting: help me. As I went to look for water and started calling out for help, her assailant appeared again and doused more petrol on her.”
Cheptegei, who was born in Kenya near the Ugandan border and later represented Uganda, had a distinguished athletic career, including winning gold in the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and performing impressively in marathons in Italy and Abu Dhabi.
Following the attack, Cheptegei was rushed to the intensive care unit but ultimately died on Wednesday night. Ndiema was expected to be detained once his condition allowed but died before he could be formally charged.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, expressed frustration over the delay in Ndiema’s detention, saying, “As it is now, the criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing.”
Cheptegei leaves behind two children, aged nine and eleven, who witnessed the tragic event.
One daughter recounted, “He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother. I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbor who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible.”
The Ugandan Athletics Federation and World Athletics have condemned the violence, with World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe vowing to enhance safeguarding policies for female athletes. Kenyan sports minister Kipchumba Murkomen highlighted the broader issue of gender-based violence, urging more action.
Cheptegei’s funeral is set for September 14. Paris has proposed naming a sports venue in her honour to commemorate her legacy and promote the message of equality.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced, “Paris will not forget her and we will dedicate a sports venue to her, so that her memory and her story will remain among us, and help us carry even stronger the message of equality, which is a message carried by the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
