Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei to be airlifted to Nairobi after brutal attack 

Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei who was allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend, is set to be airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment.

Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum announced that the government has taken charge of her medical care after she was admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

He disclosed that Kenyan authorities are in collaboration with Uganda's Sports Minister, Peter Ogwang, to ensure Cheptegei receives the necessary treatment.

“There are efforts to make sure the athlete admitted in Eldoret is airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment after the unfortunate incident in Trans Nzoia County on Sunday. Both governments are now in charge of the case, and we want to make sure that she is given the right medication even as we discuss how to progress further,” he said.

Additionally, he said security agencies from both countries are involved in the case to ensure justice is served.

Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei, who also serves as the World Athletics Vice President, condemned the attack saying, “The incident that happened to our athlete from Uganda is really unfortunate and sad because you can’t harm somebody due to disagreements about property, especially from a partner. As a federation, we condemn this in the strongest terms possible because that is not how we are supposed to live.”

He said that communication with the Uganda Athletics Federation regarding the situation is ongoing.

Medical professionals have described Cheptegei’s condition as critical but stable, noting that she sustained burns on 80 per cent of her body in the alleged domestic assault.

Cheptegei was initially treated at Kitale County Referral Hospital in Trans Nzoia County before being transferred to MTRH in Eldoret on Monday.

The incident reportedly involved her partner, Dickson Marangach, who also suffered 30 per cent burns and is currently receiving treatment at the same hospital.

Cheptegei previously represented Uganda in the Paris Olympic Games, finishing 44th in the women’s marathon. She holds the Ugandan women's marathon record of 2:22:47 set in the Abu Dhabi Marathon in the United Arab Emirates on December 17, 2022.

Rebecca Cheptegei is also an officer with the Uganda People's Defence Force.