The body of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically died after being set on fire by her partner in Kenya, was received by her family and anti-femicide activists on Friday. The somber event preceded her burial, set for the following day.
Cheptegei’s family, along with dozens of activists, gathered outside the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital morgue in Eldoret. The activists had marched while chanting slogans against femicide, drawing attention to the ongoing crisis of gender-based violence (GBV).
Cheptegei is the fourth female athlete in Kenya to have been killed by her partner in recent years, underscoring the devastating impact of GBV in the region. Viola Cheptoo, founder of Tirop Angels—an organization created in memory of athlete Agnes Tirop, who was murdered in 2021—urged for action, saying, “We are here to say enough is enough. We are tired of burying our sisters due to GBV.”
The mood at the morgue was heavy as family members and fellow athletes viewed Cheptegei’s body, which had suffered 80% burns after being doused in gasoline by her partner, Dickson Ndiema. Ndiema, who sustained 30% burns himself, later died from his injuries. According to reports, the couple had quarreled over a piece of land Cheptegei had purchased in Kenya.
Cheptegei had recently competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th, just weeks before the attack.
Her father, Joseph, expressed deep sorrow and shared that her body would make a stop at their home in the Endebess area before heading to Bukwo in eastern Uganda for a night vigil and burial. “We are in the final part of giving my daughter the last respect,” he said, visibly distraught.
Joseph had previously informed authorities that Ndiema had been stalking and threatening Cheptegei.
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The high incidence of violence against women in Kenya has led to several protests across towns and cities. According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 41% of Kenyan women in dating or marital relationships have experienced physical or sexual violence from their current or most recent partners.
