A picture has been released of a man who allegedly set his Olympic athlete girlfriend on fire, leading to her death.
As previously reported, Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically died after being set on fire by her former boyfriend.
The 33-year-old athlete, who represented Uganda at the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffered severe burns covering over 75% of her body following a violent altercation on September 2.
According to reports from the BBC, the incident occurred after an argument between Cheptegei and her boyfriend at her home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya.
Witnesses reported hearing the couple quarrel before the suspect poured a liquid on Cheptegei and ignited it.
"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.
Photos of the suspect have since been shared on social media, showing the man now identified as Dickson Ndiema, who also sustained burn injuries during the attack.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom provided further details on the case. "The man is believed to have sneaked into the compound around 2:00PM on Sunday while the woman and children were in church.
'Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before setting her ablaze," Kosiom said, per ABC News.
Donald Rukare, president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, expressed his condolences and condemned the violence.
"We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei following a vicious attack by her boyfriend," he said.
"May her gentle soul rest in peace, and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure."
The attack has left Cheptegei's family, friends, and the broader sports community devastated.
The athlete’s father has since spoken out, alleging that a dispute over land in Endebess, a town in Kenya, led to the attack.
He told The Star that his daughter and her ex-boyfriend had been arguing about the property.
"They were just friends, and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter," Mr. Cheptegei said, adding that her two children were fathered by another man living in Uganda.
The former couple was reportedly set to appear before Kenya's Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kitale over the land dispute.
Cheptegei’s father described the horrific events, claiming that the suspect was a trusted friend who had recently fallen out with his daughter.
He allegedly snuck into her home with a container of petrol on Sunday afternoon.
"Rebecca was outside the house when the suspect appeared and immediately poured petrol on her before lighting the fire," he revealed.
Our thoughts remain with Cheptegei's loved ones at this time.
