UN Condemns Rising Femicide Crisis in Kenya After Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei’s Death
The United Nations has condemned the rising tide of femicide in Kenya following the tragic death of Ugandan Olympian marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei.
Cheptegei, who competed in the Paris Olympics, succumbed to severe burns after a brutal gasoline attack in Trans Nzoia County.
Her death has ignited a global outcry, with UN officials and women’s rights advocates calling for immediate action to address gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya and beyond.
The United Nations has condemned the rising tide of femicide in Kenya following the tragic death of Ugandan Olympian marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei. Cheptegei, who competed in the Paris Olympics, succumbed to severe burns after a brutal gasoline attack in Trans Nzoia County.
Her death has ignited a global outcry, with UN officials and women’s rights advocates calling for immediate action to address gender-based violence (GBV) in Kenya and beyond.
Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, highlighted the gravity of the issue during a briefing in New York, calling Cheptegei’s murder “a tragic reflection of a much bigger problem.” He added, "Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member somewhere in the world. This must stop."
Cheptegei's violent death is not an isolated incident but part of a growing pattern in Kenya. Since 2016, over 500 women in the country have fallen victim to femicide, according to data compiled by Africa Data Hub. The situation has become so alarming that US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, expressed her concern on social media, stating, “Rebecca’s death is a stark reminder that we must #EndFemicideKE.”
The 33-year-old marathoner died in the intensive care unit at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital after suffering burns on 80 per cent of her body. The man responsible, Dickson Ndiema, reportedly doused her in gasoline and set her on fire following a quarrel. Ndiema is currently being treated at the same hospital for burns he sustained during the attack and is expected to face murder charges upon recovery.
Women’s rights organisations, international figures, and athletes have expressed their horror at Cheptegei’s murder. World Athletics, the global governing body for the sport, issued a statement mourning the loss of one of its brightest talents. “Our sport has lost a talented athlete in the most tragic and unthinkable circumstances,” stated Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics.
“Rebecca was a versatile runner who had much more to give. This is a wake-up call for all of us to protect female athletes from abuse of all kinds.”
Rebecca Cheptegei’s death follows a disturbing pattern of violence against female athletes in Kenya. In 2021, Kenya's world record holder Agnes Jebet Tirop was brutally stabbed to death by her husband. Similarly, Damaris Muthee Mutua, another athlete, was strangled in her home in 2022. These cases highlight the urgent need for stronger protections for women, especially in relationships.
Rebecca’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, revealed that his daughter had been in an ongoing dispute with Ndiema over property, accusing local police of neglecting her complaints about his intimidation. "The police took the matter for granted," Cheptegei said outside the hospital after his daughter’s death. His statement has renewed calls for law enforcement agencies to take women’s safety seriously and act swiftly when threats are reported.
“Rebecca was a versatile runner who had much more to give. This is a wake-up call for all of us to protect female athletes from abuse of all kinds.”
Rebecca Cheptegei’s death follows a disturbing pattern of violence against female athletes in Kenya. In 2021, Kenya's world record holder Agnes Jebet Tirop was brutally stabbed to death by her husband. Similarly, Damaris Muthee Mutua, another athlete, was strangled in her home in 2022. These cases highlight the urgent need for stronger protections for women, especially in relationships.
Rebecca’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, revealed that his daughter had been in an ongoing dispute with Ndiema over property, accusing local police of neglecting her complaints about his intimidation. "The police took the matter for granted," Cheptegei said outside the hospital after his daughter’s death. His statement has renewed calls for law enforcement agencies to take women’s safety seriously and act swiftly when threats are reported.
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and a fellow Ugandan, mourned Cheptegei’s loss, denouncing the culture of male dominance that perpetuates violence. “Silence is complicity,” she tweeted, urging for an end to gender-based violence. Byanyima also shared how Cheptegei supported her family, highlighting the human cost of such violence.
“She ran to feed her children, to care for her parents, and pay for the education of her nieces and nephews. This must end.”
The killing of Cheptegei has reignited the debate on gender equality and protection for women in Kenya. Advocacy groups argue that legislative reforms alone are insufficient without cultural changes and robust law enforcement.
A 2022 report by the United Nations revealed that Africa had the highest rate of gender-related killings worldwide, with over 20,000 women murdered. Experts believe the actual numbers are likely higher, as many cases go unreported.
Cheptegei’s story is a tragic reminder of the vulnerability women face in male-dominated societies. As UN officials and international organisations join the call for change, the focus now shifts to how governments will address this crisis. “A different world is possible,” Dujarric concluded. But achieving it requires collective action from all sectors of society to ensure no more lives are lost to senseless violence.
For Mila Pulse Sport
Daniel Mutuku
