Tragic Loss: Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei's Death Highlights Rising GBV in Kenya

Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympic athlete, was tragically killed by her partner in Kenya, drawing attention to the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in the region. Activists and family members met to protest and honor her memory, calling for an end to such violence. Cheptegei's death marks the fourth such incident among female athletes in Kenya in recent years.

The body of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei — who was horrifically killed after being set ablaze by her partner in Kenya — was received Friday by her family and anti-femicide crusaders, ahead of her burial.

Cheptegei's family gathered with dozens of activists who marched to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital's morgue in Eldoret, chanting anti-femicide slogans.

The athlete's tragic death marks the fourth incident of a female athlete being killed by her partner in Kenya, highlighting the rampant issue of gender-based violence in the country.

Viola Cheptoo, founder of Tirop Angels, emphasized the need for urgent action to prevent any further loss of athletes' lives to GBV. 'We are here to say that enough is enough,' she stated emphatically.

The somber gathering at the morgue witnessed athletes and family members reconciling with the tragic end of Cheptegei, who succumbed to severe burns inflicted by her partner, Dickson Ndiema.

The dispute between Cheptegei and Ndiema reportedly stemmed from a land quarrel. Ndiema later succumbed to burns sustained during the attack.

Cheptegei, an Olympian who competed in the women's marathon at the recent Paris Olympics, was laid to rest in an emotionally charged ceremony that underscored the urgent need to address gender-based violence in sports and society.

Her father, Joseph, reflected on the tragic end and shared his concerns about Ndiema's threatening behavior toward his daughter, which had been reported to the police.

Kenya's alarmingly high rates of violence against women, documented in the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, have spurred public marches and demands for stronger protective measures.

(With inputs from agencies.)