Faith Nyasuguta
The former partner of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who was accused of killing her by dousing her with petrol and setting her on fire, has died from burns he sustained during the attack. The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, confirmed on Tuesday that Dickson Ndiema Marangach succumbed to his injuries at 7:50 p.m. local time on Monday.
Cheptegei, 33, a marathon runner who competed at the Paris Olympics, was attacked on September 1 and sustained burns on over 75% of her body. She tragically passed away four days later in the same hospital where Marangach was being treated.
Cheptegei’s death marks the third killing of an elite sportswoman in Kenya since October 2021, drawing attention to the issue of domestic violence in East Africa, especially within the athletic community.
Rights groups have expressed concern that female athletes in Kenya are at high risk of exploitation and violence, often from men who are attracted to the significant prize money earned by these athletes, which far exceeds average local incomes.
Statistics from a 2022 Kenyan government report show that nearly 34% of girls and women aged 15-49 have suffered physical violence, with married women being particularly vulnerable. The survey found that 41% of married women in Kenya had experienced violence.
This tragic incident has intensified the conversation around gender-based violence, not only in Kenya but also on a global scale. A 2023 study by UN Women highlighted that a woman is killed by a family member every 11 minutes worldwide, underscoring the pervasive and urgent nature of this issue.
Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the Paris Olympics marathon, was an accomplished athlete, and her untimely death has shocked the sports community. Her murder highlights the broader challenges faced by women athletes who, despite their successes, remain at risk of violence and exploitation.
The deaths of Cheptegei and other female athletes reflect a grim reality for many women, where even their achievements and status cannot protect them from the threat of domestic violence. Rights advocates are calling for stronger measures and support systems to protect women, especially those in the public eye, from such horrific acts of violence.
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