Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is set to be airlifted to Nairobi for specialized treatment following a severe incident that left her critically injured.
The marathon runner, who represented Uganda in the Paris Olympic Games, was admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, after sustaining extensive burns in an alleged domestic violence attack.
The Kenyan government has taken an active role in her care, ensuring that Cheptegei receives the necessary medical attention in a more equipped facility.
Cheptegei, who is currently in a critical but stable condition, suffered burns on approximately 80% of her body. The incident, which occurred last Sunday in Trans Nzoia County, has been described by authorities as stemming from a domestic dispute involving her partner.
Following the attack, she was initially treated at Kitale County Referral Hospital before being transferred to Eldoret for specialized care.
“There are efforts to make sure the athlete admitted in Eldoret is airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment after the unfortunate incident in Trans Nzoia County on Sunday. Both governments are now in charge of the case and we want to make sure that she is given the right medication even as we discuss how to progress further,” said Peter Tum, Kenya’s Sports Principal Secretary, during the announcement of her transfer at the launch of the Nairobi City Marathon as quoted by Nation.
The collaborative efforts between Kenya and Uganda highlight the seriousness with which both countries are handling the situation.
Uganda’s Sports Minister, Peter Ogwang, has been in constant communication with Kenyan officials, coordinating the medical and legal response to ensure Cheptegei’s recovery and justice.
Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei, also a Vice President of World Athletics, expressed his dismay at the attack, emphasizing that such acts of violence should never be tolerated, especially within the sports community.
“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,” Tuwei stated.
The transfer to Nairobi is expected to provide Cheptegei with access to advanced medical facilities and burn specialists, which are crucial for her recovery process. Medical experts have been mobilized in anticipation of her arrival, prepared to undertake the extensive treatment required for burn victims.
Security measures have also been intensified around the case, with both Ugandan and Kenyan security agencies working closely to investigate the circumstances of the attack and to provide protection for Cheptegei during her recovery.
The incident has stirred conversations about athlete safety and domestic violence, echoing tragic events from the past, including the deaths of other athletes in the region under violent circumstances.
The Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics’ recent findings that 34 percent of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15 underscores the pervasive challenge of domestic violence in the country.
