Families and friends have gathered in Bukwo, Western Uganda, to pay their last tribute to the marathoner, Rebecca Cheptegei, who passed on from deep body burns.
Rebecca Cheptegei died on September 5th, days after being rushed to the Moi Teaching and Referring Hospital ICU, Eldoret, in Western Kenya. She received 80% deep burns, according to the doctors in the hospital.
The boyfriend Dickson Ndiema, who also passed away, while receiving treatment at the ICU in the same hospital five days after her death also got 30% body burns.
On September 13th, a somber mood clouded Western Kenya as families led by the father, Joseph Cheptegei, friends, and fans received her body at the Eldoret-based hospital.
Cheptegei’s body was later accorded a military procession to Eastern Uganda for funeral arrangements, where she’ll be laid to rest today in full military honor. She’s a member of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF).
Both officials from Kenya and Uganda, drawn from the nations’s Olympic committees, and state officials have gathered at the marathoner’s funeral to pay their last respect.
Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare, in his final tribute to the late long distance runner called for an end to the increasing gender-based violence.
Friends, Colleagues, today our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY will be laid at her home in Bukwo. Let’s pause and remember her, her legacy, and keep her family in prayer at this very difficult and dark time. Rebecaa was an inspiration to many and will continue to inspire several other athletes,” he said.
“May her unfortunate death be a constant reminder that there is no place for gender-based violence, and collectively we say NO to violence against women.” he added
The late Cheptegei participated in the Paris Olympic 2024, where she managed to appear in position 44. Prior to her debut in the Olympics, she made it to several championships, which earned her a living in Western Kenya.
A piece of land she bought in Uasin Gishu, Endebes, and built a house became the billing of family woes, later claiming her life. According to the father, the police had been notified of the threats Cheptegei received from the ex-parter but took no action to prevent the fatal end.
Rebecca was attacked on a fateful Sunday where the alleged former partner doused her with petrol and set her ablaze. According to the police, Dickson Ndiema sneaked into the compound with 5 liters of petrol he had bought while Cheptegei was away from the church.
Her daughters and sister she was staying with desperately watched the harrowing incident, as they could not help due to Ndiema’s rage. Neighbors who chipped to rescue her from the fires rushed her to the hospital, but they claimed that the doctor’s harassment and ignorance contributed to her speedy death.
