Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has been hospitalized after a brutal arson attack in Kinyoro, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. Cheptegei and her Kenyan partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, are currently receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, following a domestic dispute that escalated into a violent fire incident.
According to Kinyoro area chief Rose Chebet, the incident occurred on Sunday around 2 p.m. when Marangach reportedly entered the compound secretly while Cheptegei and their children were at church. Armed with petrol, Marangach allegedly doused Cheptegei with the flammable liquid and ignited it. The resulting fire engulfed Cheptegei, and Marangach was also burned when he lit the match.
Neighbors quickly intervened, putting out the flames and rushing the couple to Kitale County Referral Hospital. They were later transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital with extensive burn injuries for further medical care.
Police at the scene recovered a five-litre yellow jerry can, a bag, and a black Marvin, believed to belong to Marangach, along with a burnt mobile phone presumed to be Cheptegei’s. Uasin Gishu County Deputy Commander Salesio Murithi confirmed that investigations are underway.
Cheptegei recently represented Uganda in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympic Games, finishing in 48th place. She also won gold at the 2021 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in the Up and Downhill race.
