KAMPALA, Uganda (AFP) — The Ugandan sports community is mourning the untimely death of Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who succumbed to severe burns after a horrific attack by her boyfriend in Kenya.
The 33-year-old athlete, who recently represented Uganda in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics last month, has become the latest victim in a disturbing trend of gender-based violence affecting women in Kenya. Cheptegei passed away on Thursday, four days after being set on fire by her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, at her home in western Kenya.
According to Beatrice Ayikoru, the Secretary General of Uganda’s Olympic Committee and a member of the funeral organizing committee, Cheptegei’s funeral is set for September 14 in her family’s hometown of Kongasis, located in the Bukwo district of eastern Uganda. Kongasis lies approximately 380 kilometers (240 miles) northeast of Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
The brutal attack has sparked widespread anger and sorrow across both Uganda and Kenya. Cheptegei’s death underscores the ongoing plague of gender-based violence in Kenya, where at least two other female athletes have recently been killed by their partners. The assailant, Marangach, also sustained burns during the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment in hospital.
The sports community and human rights advocates are calling for stronger measures to protect women from such violent acts. Cheptegei’s murder raises urgent questions about the safety and protection of women, particularly those in the public eye and in the athletic community.
In memory of Rebecca Cheptegei, many are remembering her not just for her athletic prowess but also for her spirit and dedication. As Uganda and the world mourn her loss, the conversation about gender-based violence continues, urging for immediate action to prevent further tragedies.
The funeral will provide an opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance and demand justice for Cheptegei, seeking to ensure that no more lives are lost to such senseless violence.
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