A Ugandan marathon runner has suffered severe burns after being assaulted by her boyfriend.
Rebecca Cheptegei, who placed 44th in the 2024 Paris Olympics marathon, is undergoing treatment for 75 percent burns after being attacked at her home in the western Trans-Nzoia County of Kenya.
Trans-Nzoia County Police Chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom said on Monday that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of gasoline during an argument on Sunday, poured it on her and set her on fire.
Ndiema also suffered burns and the pair are receiving specialised treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret town.
Ms Cheptegei’s parents said they bought their 33-year-old daughter the land in Trans Nzoia for its proximity to one of the many sports training centres in the county.
A local chief reported that he had heard the couple arguing over the land their house was built on before the fire broke out.
