Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died while undergoing treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret. 

This is after she was set on fire by her lover on Sunday September 1, at her home in Trans Nzoia County.

She sustained 80 percent burn injuries after her alleged boyfriend doused her body with petrol and set her on fire.

Cheptegei was admitted to a hospital in Kitale before she was transferred to MTRH in critical condition.

Before her death on Thursday September 5, 2024 in the morning, arrangements were ongoing to transfer her to Nairobi for specialized treatment. 

Rebecca participated in 10,000 meters race and finished in 44th position during the Paris Olympics.

Initially, a dispute erupted at their home in Trans Nzoia on Sunday, leading to Ndiema pouring petrol on Cheptegei and igniting the flames.

“Upon her return, Dickson Ndiema, who had acquired petrol, started pouring it on Rebecca before igniting her,” Chebet mentioned.

Neighbors sprang into action, swiftly putting off the flames that had enveloped both Cheptegei and Ndiema.

Meanwhile, police discovered a yellow jerrycan, a black Mavin suspected to be Ndiema’s, and a charred mobile phone believed to belong to Cheptegei at the crime scene.

According to the reports, it was revealed that the two had been quarrelling over land and house.