Ugandan Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei sadly passes away after being burnt by her boyfriend

Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan athlete, passed away.

She passed away at the intensive care unit of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she was admitted.


Dr. Owen Menach, the acting director of MTRH, confirmed the death of Rebecca Cheptegei Friday night after all of her organs failed.

“Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed last night,” said Dr Menach

Later that day, he said, the hospital would provide a comprehensive report on the situation.

Cheptegei’s supposed boyfriend doused her in gasoline and lit her ablaze, leaving her with 80% burn damage.


Most of her organs were harmed by the burns.

During the incident, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, the boyfriend in question, also suffered burn injuries.

He had roughly 30% burns when he was also taken to the same intensive care unit.

Marangach allegedly broke into Cheptegei’s house on Sunday night with a five-liter gasoline-filled jerrican.

After Cheptegei and their kids left for church, the man doused her in gasoline and set her on fire when she came back.

The two were taken to the hospital in critical condition after neighbors caused a disturbance and managed to rescue them.

Afterwards, MTRH was referred to them.


Mzee Joseph Cheptegiei, the athlete’s father, made it clear that the two were only temporary pals.

At Endebes in Trans Nzoia, he alleged, they had been fighting over her land when the attack happened.

“They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter,” Mzee Cheptegei stated.

According to the father, the DCI was looking into a case involving the two.

According to him, the athlete is the father of two children whose father lives in Uganda.


The two had been apart for some time, according to Mzee Cheptegei, but on Sunday the Marangach broke into the house and planned the attack.