NAIROBI, Kenya — The body of Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei — who died after being set on fire by her partner in Kenya — was received Friday by family and anti-femicide crusaders, ahead of her burial a day later.
Cheptegei’s family met with dozens of activists Friday who had marched to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s morgue in the western city of Eldoret while chanting anti-femicide slogans.
She is the fourth female athlete to have been killed by her partner in Kenya in yet another case of gender-based violence in recent years.
Viola Cheptoo, the founder of Tirop Angels – an organization that was formed in honor of athlete Agnes Tirop, who was stabbed to death in 2021, said stakeholders need to ensure this is the last death of an athlete due to gender-based violence.
“We are here to say that enough is enough, we are tired of burying our sisters due to GBV,” she said.
It was a somber mood at the morgue as athletes and family members viewed Cheptegei’s body which sustained 80% of burns after she was doused with gasoline by her partner Dickson Ndiema. Ndiema sustained 30% burns on his body and later succumbed.
Ndiema and Cheptegei were said to have quarreled over a piece of land that the athlete bought in Kenya, according to a report filed by the local chief.
Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph, said that the body will make a brief stop at their home in the Endebess area before proceeding to Bukwo in eastern Uganda for a night vigil and burial on Saturday.
“We are in the final part of giving my daughter the last respect,” a visibly distraught Joseph said.
He told reporters last week that Ndiema was stalking and threatening Cheptegei and the family had informed police.
Kenya’s high rates of violence against women have prompted marches by ordinary citizens in towns and cities this year.
Four in 10 women or an estimated 41% of dating or married Kenyan women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their current or most recent partner, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022.
The family of Ugandan Olympic athlete, Julius Ssekitoleko, is mourning his tragic death after his body was found burned in a field in Uganda. Ssekitoleko had gone missing from the Tokyo Olympics where he was part of the Ugandan weightlifting team. His disappearance sparked a search effort by Japanese authorities and his family back in Uganda.
Ssekitoleko had reportedly left a note saying he wanted to stay and work in Japan, as he feared returning to Uganda where he faced financial difficulties and stigma for failing to qualify for the Olympics. However, his body was found burned in a field in his hometown of Mawogola, sparking outrage and sadness among his family and the Ugandan community.
The circumstances surrounding Ssekitoleko’s death are still unclear, but it is believed that he may have been killed in a case of mistaken identity or targeted violence. The Ugandan government has promised to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
Ssekitoleko’s family has received his body and is now preparing for his funeral. They are devastated by the loss of their son and brother, who was a promising athlete with dreams of representing Uganda on the world stage. His death has left a void in their lives and in the Ugandan sports community.
The tragic death of Julius Ssekitoleko serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes, especially those from developing countries, who struggle with poverty, lack of resources, and mental health issues. It also highlights the need for better support systems for athletes to ensure their well-being both during and after their sporting careers.
As the Ugandan community mourns the loss of one of their own, they are calling for justice for Julius Ssekitoleko and for better support for athletes to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. The legacy of this young athlete will live on in the hearts of those who knew him and in the lessons learned from his untimely death.
