Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, where she was admitted to the ICU. Acting Director Dr. Owen Menach confirmed her death, stating that all her organs failed last night.
Dr. Menach mentioned that a detailed report on the situation would be provided later in the day.
Cheptegei suffered severe burn injuries—80 percent of her body was burned—after her alleged boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, reportedly doused her with petrol and set her on fire. The burns severely damaged her organs. Marangach, who also sustained burn injuries (about 30 percent), was admitted to the same ICU.
On Sunday, Marangach reportedly entered Cheptegei’s home with a five-liter jerrican of petrol while she was at church with their children. Upon her return, he allegedly poured petrol on her and ignited it. Neighbors heard the commotion and intervened, rescuing both individuals and rushing them to the hospital in critical condition before being transferred to MTRH.
Cheptegei’s father, Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, clarified that Marangach and his daughter were only friends and expressed confusion over why he would attack her. He mentioned ongoing disputes over land in Endebes, Trans Nzoia, where the incident occurred. Mzee Cheptegei noted that Marangach and his daughter had previously been separated and that she has two children whose father is from Uganda.
