'Rebecca was an outstanding athlete who showcased the spirit of resilience in representing Uganda and East Africa. Her passing is not only a loss to Uganda and the athletics community, but to the entire region,' Murkomen stated.
'This tragedy 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.'
The minister pledged full support for efforts to ensure justice for Cheptegei.
'As a government, we remain committed to supporting justice for Rebecca. No one should have to go through such an ordeal. May her soul rest in peace,' he added.
Cheptegei was doused with petrol and set ablaze by her estranged partner, Dickson Ndiema, in Kitale, a town in the northwest of Kenya, on Sunday, September 1, 2024, following a disagreement. She suffered burns to 80 percent of her body. Ndiema also sustained 30 percent burns and is receiving treatment.
The tragic incident came just weeks after the 33-year-old had taken part in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th.
The incident has shone a spotlight on violence experienced by women in Kenya. A government report published in 2022 revealed that nearly 34% of Kenyan girls and women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence, with married women being particularly at risk. Several women in sports have been affected in recent years.
In April 2022, Kenyan-Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee Mutua was found dead in Iten, a famous athletics training base in Kenya. An autopsy revealed that the then 28-year-old athlete had been strangled.
In October 2021, Olympian runner Agnes Tirop was found dead in her home in Iten with multiple stab wounds to the neck. Tirop's estranged husband was arrested and charged with her murder. The case is pending in court.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
