Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei passes away after being set ablaze by boyfriend

Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died following a tragic incident at her home in Western Trans Nzoia County, Nairobi.

According to authorities, Cheptegei suffered severe burns covering 75% of her body after allegedly being set on fire by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, during a domestic dispute.

Ndiema also sustained burn injuries and is receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

The incident is believed to have been sparked by a disagreement over land ownership.

Cheptegei, who represented Uganda in the 2024 Paris Olympics, passed away days after the incident.

Her death bears resemblance to the 2021 murder of Kenyan athlete Agnes Tirop, who was found stabbed to death in her home in Iten.