The daughter of an Olympic athlete whose former boyfriend is accused of murdering her has spoken out about the horror that she witnessed.
As previously reported, Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei tragically died after being set on fire, allegedly by her former boyfriend.
The 33-year-old athlete, who competed for Uganda at the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffered fatal injuries after an alleged altercation at her home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, on September 2.
According to reports from the BBC, the violent dispute escalated when her boyfriend allegedly poured a flammable liquid on Cheptegei and set her ablaze.
Witnesses at the scene recounted hearing a heated argument between Cheptegei and the suspect before the horrifying attack occurred.
"The couple were heard quarreling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her," said Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom.
Cheptegei sustained severe burns covering more than 75% of her body, leading to her tragic death.
The suspect, identified as Dickson Ndiema, also suffered burn injuries during the attack and is currently under investigation.
In a heartbreaking account, one of Cheptegei’s daughters, who witnessed the attack, described the terrifying ordeal to Kenyan outlet The Standard.
"I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbor who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible," she said.
She also claimed that when she rushed to help her mother, she was kicked by her attacker.
Cheptegei’s father has since spoken publicly about the devastating incident, revealing that a dispute over land may have been the motive behind the attack.
According to him, the former couple had been embroiled in an argument over a property in Endebess, a town in Kenya.
"They were just friends, and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter," Mr. Cheptegei told The Star, noting that his daughter’s two children were fathered by another man living in Uganda.
The former couple was reportedly scheduled to meet with Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kitale to resolve the land dispute.
In a heartbreaking account, Mr. Cheptegei described how Ndiema, once a trusted friend, had allegedly sneaked into his daughter’s home with a container of petrol.
"Rebecca was outside the house when the suspect appeared and immediately poured petrol on her before lighting the fire," he recounted.
As authorities continue to investigate the case, the sports world is left grappling with the loss of an athlete whose life was cut short by a horrific act of violence.
Cheptegei’s tragic death has prompted renewed calls to address the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.
