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A world champion runner who competed in the Olympics last month is in critical condition after she was allegedly doused in petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend.
Rebecca Cheptegei suffered burns to more than 75 percent of her body following an attack at her home, police said.
Her alleged attacker also suffered serious burns in the incident in western Kenya, local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom told reporters.
“The couple were heard arguing outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring liquid on the woman before setting her on fire,” Kosiom said.
Cheptegei, 33, was reportedly rescued by neighbours at her home in the small town of Endebess before she and her attacker were taken to Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the main town in the region.
The athlete, who was born and represents neighbouring Uganda, is said to have bought land in Trans Nzoia County and built a house, to be close to Kenya’s many sports training centres.
A report filed by a local administrator indicates that she and her attacker were arguing over the land.
The attack came exactly three weeks after Cheptegei finished 44th in the Olympic marathon.
She had already won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The attack on her is the latest on a female athlete in Kenya, some of which have resulted in fatalities.
In April 2022, fellow runner Damaris Mutua was found strangled with a pillow over her face in the Rift Valley town of Iten.
It came just months after long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same town.
Men have also been targeted, such as Ugandan Benjamin Kiplagat, who was stabbed to death by assailants in Eldoret in December.
