Ugandan athlete in hospital after petrol attack in Kenya

Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition in a Kenyan hospital after she was allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire by an ex-boyfriend.

The 33-year-old marathon runner, who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, suffered burns to more than 75 percent of her body, police said.

She was attacked in her home in western Kenya where she had been training.

The increasing cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya, some of which have resulted in death, are a cause for concern.

Ms Cheptegei was said to have been rescued by neighbours after the incident, which occurred at her home in the small town of Endebess on Sunday.

The suspected attacker also suffered severe burns, local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom told journalists.

The two are being treated at the Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the region's largest city.

“The couple were heard arguing outside the house. During the argument, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman and then burning her,” Mr Kosiom was quoted as saying.

Ms Cheptegei, who hails from a region just across the border in Uganda, is said to have bought a piece of land in Transnzoia County and built a house to be close to Kenya's numerous sports training centres.

A report from a local property manager said the two had been arguing over the property. Police said an investigation was ongoing.

At the recent Olympic Games in Paris, Ms Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon.

She also won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

In April 2022, another runner, Damaris Mutua, was found strangled in a house in the Rift Valley town of Iten with a pillow over her face.

This came months after record-holding long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same city.

Men were also targeted.

Last December, another Ugandan athlete, Benjamin Kiplagat, was stabbed to death by attackers in Eldoret.

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