Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, died on September 5 in Kenya from severe burns sustained four days earlier when her partner brutally attacked her and set her on fire. This latest act of violence against women rekindles the spotlight on what non-governmental organizations are calling a veritable “epidemic of feminicides” in East Africa.
Cheptegei, fresh from his participation in the marathon Olympics in Paris, where she placed 44th, was remembered with deep sorrow by the international sports community. “We have just learned of the tragic death of Rebecca Cheptegei, victim of a vicious attack by her boyfriend”, Donald Rukare, president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, said on X. “It was a vile and senseless act that deprived us of a great athlete, whose legacy will live forever.”
According to local police, Cheptegei's partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, broke into the marathon runner's home in Endebess, western Kenya, while she was at church with her two daughters. Once inside, he doused her with petrol and set her on fire.
Cheptegei's death is yet another tragedy in a context where gender violence continues to claim victims. Women's rights organizations are calling for urgent and concrete actions to stop this “silent epidemic”, which affects thousands of women around the world every day, leaving behind pain and despair.
In short
Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, died on September 5 in Kenya from severe burns she suffered four days earlier when her partner brutally attacked her and gave her…
- This latest act of violence against women shines a spotlight on what non-governmental organizations are calling a…
- Cheptegei, fresh from her participation in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she placed 44th, was remembered…
- "We have just learned of the tragic death of Rebecca Cheptegei, the victim of a vicious attack by her boyfriend," he said.
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Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, died on September 5 in Kenya from severe burns she suffered four days earlier, when her partner…
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This latest act of violence against women shines a spotlight on what non-governmental organizations are calling a…
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Cheptegei, fresh from her participation in the Paris Olympic marathon, where she placed 44th, was remembered with deep sorrow by…
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