Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend dies following a violent incident that also led to her own tragic death.
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is mourning yet another tragic loss as her ex-boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, has passed away in a Kenyan hospital.
This comes shortly after Cheptegei herself succumbed to injuries from a brutal assault that shook the community.
Ndiema died late Monday night at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where he had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.
His death follows a few days after Cheptegei, who was also treated at the same facility for severe burns.
“The hospital confirmed that Ndiema died Monday night at the ICU where he had been admitted,” reported The Star.
The tragedy unfolded when Ndiema attacked Cheptegei at her home in Trans Nzoia, Kenya, where he doused her with petrol and set her on fire.
The attack not only resulted in catastrophic injuries for Cheptegei but also left Ndiema with significant burns.
According to medical reports, Cheptegei sustained more than 80 percent burns, while Ndiema suffered over 30 percent.
Little is known about Dickson Ndiema outside his tumultuous relationship with Cheptegei.
He was not the father of Cheptegei’s two daughters, and the couple had been separated for some time before the tragic incident.
A semi-private Facebook profile remains the only glimpse into Ndiema’s personal life, providing scant details beyond his connection to the prominent athlete.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Cheptegei’s funeral, which promises to be a significant event.
Her family, led by her father Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, has announced that she will be given a military burial.
“She was a member of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and will be laid to rest with full military honors,” Mzee Cheptegei stated.
The family is working closely with both the Kenyan and Ugandan governments to ensure a fitting tribute in Bukwo, Eastern Uganda.
A postmortem is scheduled to be conducted on Wednesday to provide insights into the exact cause of Cheptegei’s death.
“The hospital asked us to have the postmortem done and we accepted because it will help us to know what led to her death and also it will be part of closure for us as we mourn her death,” explained Mzee Cheptegei.
Following the postmortem, Cheptegei’s body will be moved from the morgue on Thursday, allowing for an overnight vigil at her home in Endebes, Trans Nzoia.
The body will then be transported by road to Bukwo for another vigil on Friday, with the burial set for Saturday.
The event is expected to draw top officials from both Uganda and Kenya reflecting the stature of Cheptegei and the profound impact of her career and tragic end.(pulsenewskenya)