REBECCA CHEPETGEI DIES AFTER FORMER BOYFRIEND SET HER ON FIRE!!

Days ago, we heard the most unfortunate, inhumane story. Another incident of third-party inflicted burns had occurred; this time on Ugandan Olympic athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei. A former boyfriend had doused her in petrol and set her on fire. The 33-year-old athlete was said to have suffered burns up to more than 75% of her body.

There is an indication that Rebecca and her former boyfriend had been squabbling over a piece of land. For those who do not know Rebecca, she represented Uganda this year in the Paris Olympics. In 2023, she won Silver at the Padova Women’s Marathon in Italy. This is a great loss for a family, a community, a country, and the world. A literal pace-setter on an upward trajectory has had her journey cut short by a malicious man in such a horrific manner. Nobody has the right to inflict burns on another human being!!! We send commiserations to Cheptegei’s family and to all Ugandans.

While the police conduct further investigations, we can’t help but be alarmed at the spate of third-party inflicted burns. In Ghana alone, we know three published stories of extreme cases of third-party inflicted burns: – Martha Kakari, Nadia, and Augustine Poku all of whom were doused in acid by their respective partners or ex-partners. There are several other unreported stories. Two months ago, a 14-year-old girl poured hot water along with boiled garden eggs on her mother, leaving her with severe burns in Kumasi Kronum- Afrancho.
As the family of Cheptegei cries for justice, Rebecca’s former boyfriend lies in the hospital with less severe burns. For how long will such malevolent acts go on? We look forward to a time when everyone, young and old, will know this: NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO INFLICT BURN ON ANOTHER HUMAN BEING!!