Rebecca Cheptegei's Ex-lover Dickson Ndiema Dies at Moi Hospital

Dickson Ndiema, the former partner of deceased Ugandan athlete Rebeca Cheptegei, has died at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

Ndiema has succumbed to burns covering 30 per cent of his body. He had been in the Intensive Care Unit following an altercation in which he allegedly set Cheptegei on fire after dousing her with petrol. Cheptegei, an Olympian who competed in the 2024 Games, passed away five days prior at the same medical facility, having suffered burns to 80 per cent of her body. The attack reportedly stemmed from a disagreement over a parcel of land in Chepkum Village, Trans Nzoia County.

Law enforcement reports indicate that Ndiema carried out the assault on a Sunday as Cheptegei returned from church with her two daughters. The pair had been embroiled in a prolonged dispute over the contested property, a fact confirmed by local authorities. Prior to his death, it was anticipated that Ndiema would face murder charges once he recovered. The United Nations swiftly condemned the violence, with Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, emphasizing the urgency of addressing GBV.

He stated, "Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member somewhere in the world. This must stop." As a celebrated athlete, Cheptegei represented her nation in numerous international competitions, amassing an impressive collection of medals. Her passing has left a void in the sports community and beyond. In recognition of her achievements, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has announced plans to name a sports venue in her honour. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed its condolences and reiterated the importance of providing mental health resources to those in competitive sports.

They note that the pressures of high-level athletics, combined with personal challenges, can sometimes lead to devastating outcomes. As the community mourns, Cheptegei's funeral is scheduled for September 14 in her home district of Bukwa, Uganda. The country is expected to bid farewell to their national hero with full honours, commemorating her Olympic success and illustrious career.