Ugandan Olympic Runner Rebecca Cheptegei Laid to Rest with Full Military Honors
By The Public Lens
Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympic athlete, was buried with full military honors on Saturday, following her tragic death after being set alight by her former partner.
Cheptegei, who competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, returned to her home in western Kenya after the event, where she was attacked by her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach.
Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, revealed that Rebecca had filed complaints against Marangach with the police on multiple occasions, including just two days before the alleged attack.
Rebecca suffered severe burns and succumbed to her injuries four days later, sparking widespread outrage over violence against women in Kenya.
Her death has highlighted the high risk of exploitation and violence faced by female athletes in Kenya, with rights groups calling for greater protection and support.
Rebecca’s achievements in athletics include winning the 2021 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and setting a national record for the marathon.
Born in Uganda in 1991, Rebecca moved to Kenya to pursue her running career, where she met Marangach during a training visit.
Marangach died a few days after Rebecca, from burns sustained during the attack, with many calling for him to have faced justice in prison.
Rebecca’s legacy will live on, with the city of Paris planning to name a sports facility in her honor, recognizing her strength, beauty, and freedom.
