Rebecca Cheptegei's Sister Painfully Recounts How Ex-Lover Burned Athlete: "Alimwagia Petrol"

• Rebecca Cheptegei died from multiple organ failure caused by severe burns she sustained after her ex-lover set her on fire
• Cheptegei and her children had returned from church on Sunday, September 1, to find her ex-lover, Dickson Ndiema, waiting for them
• The Ugandan athlete's sister sorrowfully recounted the events of that day and described how Cheptegei suffered at Ndiema's hands

Uasin Gishu: Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei passed away on Thursday, September 5, while undergoing treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Cheptegei was allegedly set on fire by her ex-lover, Dickson Ndiema, after he poured petrol on her.

What happened to Rebecca Cheptegei?

The late Cheptegei's sister painfully recounted how Ndiema set her on fire on Sunday, September 1, when she returned home from church with her children.

"The man was already in the house. So when Cheptegei got home, the man doused her in petrol. While trying to save her herself from the man, she ran out of the house," the deceased's sister told K24 TV.

The athlete's sister added that Ndiema followed Cheptegei outside and continued pouring petrol on her.

"He had a lighter which he lit and set her on fire. She rolled on the grass in an attempt to put out the fire on her body to no avail," she added.

The athlete removed her sweater and threw it aside, but Cheptegei's sister said that Ndiema poured more petrol on her as if determined to ensure she was completely burned.

"Cheptegei then asked one of her children to bring her a blanket. The child rushed to get the blanket, but Ndiema chased her out of the homestead with a panga," she said.

Preliminary reports indicated the two frequently quarrelled over a house and a plot of land.

Cheptegei's father says she was family's provider

Cheptegei's father expressed profound grief over the loss of his beloved daughter.

Speaking in pain, Joseph Cheptegei said he had lost a very supportive daughter who made sure the family was well cared for.

Joseph described his daughter's attacker as an "animal" who had tormented her for months before setting her on fire.

He stated they had reported concerns about Cheptegei's ex-lover, Dickson Ndiema, to the police, but nothing was done.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.