Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Africa.
Conflict Over Land Leads to Fatal Confrontation
Tragic Attack Claims Lives of Ugandan Athlete and Ex-Partner
Former boyfriend of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, Dickson Ndiema, has died from burns sustained during an attack on Cheptegei. Ndiema ambushed the marathon runner as she returned home from church, doused her with petrol, and set her ablaze. The two had reportedly been in conflict over a small piece of land in north west Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained.
Struggle for Life Ends in Tragedy
Ndiema died on Monday night at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where he had been admitted with burns covering more than 40% of his body. A hospital press release stated that Ndiema developed respiratory failure due to severe airway burns and sepsis, which led to his death despite life-saving measures. Cheptegei had succumbed to her injuries four days after the attack, having suffered burns on more than 80% of her body.
Incident Details and Community Reaction
On the day of the attack, neighbors heard screams before Cheptegei ran towards them, pleading for help. Reports indicate that Ndiema had sneaked into Cheptegei's home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, with a five litre jerry can of petrol. Some of the fuel splashed onto Ndiema, leading to him also catching fire.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Police had intended to charge Ndiema with murder, treating Cheptegei's death as a criminal case. However, with Ndiema's death, the case has been dropped, and an inquest into both deaths will be opened instead.
Legacy of an Inspirational Athlete
Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, was a celebrated athlete who represented Uganda after originally being born on the Kenyan side of the Kenya Uganda border. She joined the Uganda People’s Defence Forces in 2008, rising to the rank of sergeant, and competed in this year's Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th in the marathon. She also won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022. Cheptegei will be laid to rest on Saturday at her ancestral home in Bukwo, Uganda.
Broader Concerns Over Violence Against Women in Kenya
Cheptegei's death has sparked outrage and mourning globally, particularly among her fellow Ugandans who saw her as an inspiration. Her death marks the third killing of a female athlete in Kenya in the last three years, with each case involving current or former romantic partners as main suspects. In 2021, world record holder Agnes Tirop was fatally stabbed, and six months later, Damaris Mutua was strangled. A national survey in 2022 revealed that at least 34% of women in Kenya had experienced physical violence, highlighting the ongoing concern over attacks on women in the country.
