Ugandan Olympic marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei is receiving treatment in hospital for 75 per cent burns after her boyfriend allegedly set her on fire.
Cheptegei had recently returned to Kenya after the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he represented Uganda in the marathon.
Police confirmed that Cheptegei was attacked at her home in the western county of Trans Nzoia, where she was training.
Cheptegei was allegedly set on fire by her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said her ex-partner had bought a can of petrol, poured it on her and set it alight during a disagreement on Sunday.
Cheptegei is currently receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret town.
Ndiema, who also suffered burns, is being treated at the same hospital.
A police report stated that the incident occurred around 2pm on Sunday, where Ndiema allegedly entered his house while Cheptegei and his children were at church.
He reportedly poured petrol over Cheptegei before setting him on fire.
Neighbours helped extinguish the flames, according to local reports, and both were admitted to hospital with serious burns.
Police discovered a five-litre jerrycan, a bag and a burnt phone at the scene of the incident, Kenyan newspaper The Nation reported.
The local police chief said the couple had been heard fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire started.
Cheptegei reportedly bought the land in Trans Nzoia County, located near the border with Uganda, and built a house.
The house is close to several training centers in Kenya.
