Ugandan athlete in hospital after Kenya petrol attack

Ugandan jock Rebecca Cheptegei is successful a captious information successful a Kenyan hospital, aft allegedly being doused pinch petrol by a erstwhile boyfriend.

The 33-year-old marathon runner, who competed astatine nan caller Paris Olympics, has suffered burns to complete 75% of her body, constabulary said.

She was attacked astatine her location successful occidental Kenya, wherever she had been training.

There are concerns astir nan expanding cases of unit against female athletes successful Kenya, immoderate of which person resulted successful death.

Ms Cheptegei is said to person been rescued by neighbours aft a erstwhile partner allegedly poured petrol connected her and group her connected occurrence astatine her location successful nan mini municipality of Endebess.

The alleged attacker besides sustained superior burns successful nan incident that happened connected Sunday, section constabulary main Jeremiah ole Kosiom told journalists.

The 2 are being treated astatine Moi Referral Hospital successful Eldoret, nan main municipality successful nan region.

“The mates was heard quarrelling extracurricular their house. During nan altercation, nan fellow was seen pouring a liquid connected nan female earlier burning her,” Mr Kosiom was quoted arsenic saying.

Ms Cheptegei, from a region conscionable crossed nan separator successful Uganda, is said to person bought a portion of onshore successful Trans Nzoia region and built a house, to beryllium adjacent Kenya's galore diversion training centres.

A study revenge by a section administrator said nan 2 had been wrangling complete nan portion of land. Police opportunity investigation astir nan matter is nether way.

Ms Cheptegei vanished 44th successful nan marathon astatine nan caller Paris Olympics.

She besides won golden astatine nan World Mountain and Trail Running Championships successful Chiang Mai, Thailand, successful 2022.

In April 2022, different female runner, Damaris Mutua, was recovered strangled successful a location pinch a pillow complete her look successful nan Rift Valley municipality of Iten.

It came months aft record-breaking long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was recovered stabbed to death successful nan aforesaid town.

Men person besides been targeted.

Last December, different Ugandan athlete, Benjamin Kiplagat was stabbed to death by assailants successful Eldoret.