Friends are now portraying a picture of a distressed and unsettled spirit of slain Ugandan long-distance runner, Rebecca Cheptegei.
She died while receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret following severe burns sustained from an alleged domestic incident. READ FULL STORY
Cheptegei was reportedly doused with petrol and ignited by her estranged partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, at her residence in Trans Nzoia.
According to a local publication, while preparing for the Paris Olympic Games in August, she experienced significant unrest due to her tumultuous relationship with Marangach, which ultimately compelled her to leave.
Ugandan marathon runner Stella Chesang, who trained alongside Cheptegei at their Olympic team camp in Kapchorwa, Eastern Uganda, noted that her friend frequently sought permission from the head coach to address personal matters.
“I realized every weekend Cheptegei would leave camp to rush home. Out of curiosity I asked her the reason and she told me that her two kids were staying alone because she had broken up with her boyfriend and she wanted to make sure they were doing well,” said Chesang.
Additionally, Sarah Chelangat, a member of the Ugandan marathon team, who shared a room with Cheptegei at their training camp in Kapchorwa, noted that Cheptegei occasionally appeared to be troubled.
“At one point I asked her what the issue was and she confessed to me that her former boyfriend was bothering her. I advised her to focus on the Paris Olympics and thereafter try to deal with the problem,” said Chelangat.
Another close associate of Cheptegei, Ugandan marathoner Solomon Mutai said she had to relocate her training base twice in order to evade the relationship.
“This was her former boyfriend and he always misused her money. She stopped funding him and that is where her troubles started. When they broke up, Cheptegei came to Uganda and started training with us in Kapkoros, Bukwo District
“We talked with her and she told me that the man wanted to take away her land and house in Kinyoro in Trans Nzoia County and that a criminal case was being handled by the Kenyan Police. They were asked to present their bank statements to show who had really bought that land. They were to present the proof on Monday but then she was attacked on Sunday,” said Mutai.
Cheptegei succumbed to multiple organ failure after sustaining severe burns covering approximately 80% of her body.
The attack reportedly stemmed from a quarrel over property, with witnesses indicating that the couple had been arguing prior to the incident.
Marangach also suffered burns and was hospitalized but remains under police custody.
Her death has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with officials and the public condemning the violence against women and expressing their sorrow over the loss of a talented athlete.
