The father of Ugandan Olympic long distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei has called for justice after she was burned to death in an attack by her partner earlier this week.
Cheptegei was hospitalized in Kenya after 80 percent of her body was burned by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, who poured gasoline on her and lit her on fire during an alleged dispute over land.
She later died from the injuries.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, spoke to reporters at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city on Thursday and called for justice, according to the Associated Press.
“As it is now, the criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing,” the father said. “He is still free and might even flee.”
“We have lost our breadwinner,” he added, according to the BBC, wondering how his late daughter’s two young children would be able to “proceed with their education.”
Cheptegei finished in 44th place in the women’s marathon in the Paris Olympics last month.
According to the AP, Cheptegei’s parents told reporters that their daughter had purchased land in Trans Nzoia for its proximity to Kenya’s athletic centers, and the local police chief said that the couple had been heard fighting over the location of the land.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the Uganda Athletics Federation wrote in a post on X on Thursday.
“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”
