Kenyan doctors have described Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei’s condition as critical but stable after sustaining severe burns in an alleged domestic attack by her partner, Dickson Marangach.
Dr. Owen Benach, a senior director of clinical services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret confirmed the development on September 3, 2024 and said both patients were in a critical state, with Cheptegei being heavily sedated due to the extent of her injuries.
“A high-profile patient has been fully sedated because of the extent of the burns,” Dr. Benach confirmed.
On September 1, 2024, Marangach doused Cheptegei with petrol and set her on fire at her home in Endebess, western Kenya, where she suffered 80% burns, and was transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret for specialized treatment.
Witnesses reported that the couple had been arguing outside their home before the attack. After the attack, neighbors rushed to extinguish the flames and called for help.
Police believe that the couple had been wrangling over a piece of land Cheptegei had purchased and built a house on.
Donald Rukare, president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, condemned the attack, stating, “Let’s all say no to violence, especially against women. This is totally unacceptable.”
Cheptegei, an officer of the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces officer, represented the country in the recent Paris Olympics, finishing 44th in the women’s marathon.
