Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei’s Father Shares Heartbreaking Plea After Her Death From Gasoline Attack

Rebecca Cheptegei’s loved ones are looking for justice. 

After the Olympic marathon runner died due to complete organ failure after sustaining injuries in a gasoline attack allegedly perpetrated by her partner Dickson Ndiema, Rebecca’s father Joseph Cheptegei is issuing a plea. 

“I have a lot of grief because I’ve lost my daughter,” Joseph told reporters Sept. 5, per the Los Angeles Times, at the Kenyan hospital where his daughter died. “I seek your help so that this person who has killed my daughter can be prosecuted.” 

He continued, “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. He is still free and might even flee.” 

Rebecca died three days after Dickson reportedly doused her in gasoline and set her on fire following an altercation at her home in Kenya, police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom told reporters, per the BBC.

According to the LA Times, Rebecca’s parents said their daughter—who was originally from Uganda—had bought land in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia county to be closer to the county’s athletic training centers. The outlet also reports that, citing a report filed by the local police chief, Rebecca and Dickson were heard fighting over the land where her house was built before the attack.

Following the attack and Rebecca’s death, a number of organizations and officials have expressed their outrage over the incident, as it occurs amid ongoing instances of gender-based violence in Kenya.    

As Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei said, per The Nation, “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.” 

The Ugandan Athletics Federation also expressed its sadness over the loss of the athlete, who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics marathon on behalf of the country.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the organization shared on X, formerly Twitter. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.” 

But there are those who are promising to answer Joseph’s call for justice.  

Kenya’s Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said the government would ensure Rebecca’s loved ones would receive just that.  

“This tragedy,” he shared in a written statement, per the LA Times, “is a stark reminder that we must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society, which in recent years has reared its ugly head in elite sporting circles.”