Rebecca Cheptegei, a prominent Ugandan Olympic athlete, tragically passed away on Thursday after being set on fire by her boyfriend at her home in Kenya. This heartbreaking incident marks the third case of a female athlete being killed by a partner in Iten, Kenya, since 2021. Iten, known as a hub for elite runners, has now become the site of a disturbing pattern of violence.
Rebecca Cheptegei’s Achievements and Legacy
Cheptegei, who trained in Kenya, began her international career at 19 and excelled in road racing. She achieved a personal best marathon time of 2:22:47, making her the second-fastest Ugandan female runner in history. In honor of her contributions to the sport, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced that a sports facility in the city will be dedicated to her memory.
Previous Tragic Cases
Three years prior to Cheptegei’s death, Agnes Tirop, another renowned long-distance athlete, was murdered by her husband in 2021. Tirop, celebrated for her numerous international achievements, was fatally stabbed, and her death led to widespread outrage and a thorough investigation.
Additionally, Damaris Mutua, an Olympian, was strangled by her boyfriend, who subsequently fled the country to avoid justice.
Larger Issue of Gender-Based Violence in Kenya
These tragic events are part of a broader issue of gender-based violence in Kenya. According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics released in January 2023, 34% of women in Kenya have experienced physical violence at some point since the age of 15.
The repeated violence against female athletes has prompted calls for increased awareness and stronger measures to address gender-based violence. Advocates are urging for more effective protection and support for women, particularly within the sports community, to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
