Joseph Cheptegei, the grieving father of the late Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, is urgently calling for the arrest of the man responsible for his daughter's tragic death. The 27-year-old runner, succumbed to severe burns inflicted by her boyfriend, who reportedly set fireon her with petrol.
Rebecca was pronounced dead early yesterday morning, following a devastating attack that occurred as she was returning from church. Despite doctors' best efforts, the extensive burns covering 80% of her body proved fatal. The medical team struggled to save her life, but the severity of her injuries left them with little hope.
The suspect, who also sustained minor burns, is currently receiving treatment but remains at large. This delay in justice has sparked intense frustration and concern from Rebecca's family. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, has voiced his dismay at the perceived inaction of Kenyan authorities. He fears the suspect may evade justice, and is particularly outraged at the slow response from law enforcement.
Joseph recounted previous attempts to address the violence, revealing that Rebecca had earlier reported her boyfriend to the police over disputes related to a piece of land. Unfortunately, these reports did not prompt immediate action, allowing the tragic events to unfold.
"I am deeply saddened and frustrated. It feels like the government has let us down. The man who killed my daughter is still free, and he could easily flee the country. This individual has been a persistent menace to Rebecca, even following her to Uganda at one point. We need justice, and we need it now," Joseph Cheptegei emphasized.
The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the urgent need for effective intervention in such distressing situations.
Watch him speak out below:
