The funeral for Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei will be held on September 14 in her home country. Cheptegei died after suffering severe burns in an attack by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, in Kenya. The funeral will take place in Kongasis sub county in Bukwo district, eastern Uganda, where Cheptegei’s family home is located. The burial will be overseen by the government due to Cheptegei’s role as an officer in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.
Cheptegei’s death has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with many viewing it as another alarming case of gender-based violence. Leaders from the Sabaot community, which spans both Kenya and Uganda, have expressed their sorrow and called for justice. The elders urged the Kenyan authorities to ensure justice is served and criticized local police for failing to act on earlier warnings.
Cheptegei was a prominent marathon runner who represented Uganda at the 2024 Paris Olympics and held Uganda’s national marathon record with a time of 2:22:47. Her death is seen as a devastating blow to both Kenya and Uganda, especially within the Sabaot community.
