A man, identified as Dickson Ndiema Marangach has set his partner, a Ugandan Olympian, identified as Rebecca Cheptegei, on fire, News About Nigeria reports.
This was disclosed by the Ugandan officials on Tuesday.
According to reports, Marangach snuck into the home of his partner, in Endebess, in the western county of Trans-Nzoia, at around 2:00 pm on Sunday while she and her children were at church.
He poured petrol on Rebecca before setting her ablaze and was also injured in the process, the police revealed.
Rebecca was rescued by the neighbours, and they were both taken to nearby Kitale County Referral Hospital, where they were admitted with multiple burns.
The 33-year-old long-distance runner is currently in intensive care in a Kenyan hospital.
The statement reads, “Dickson, had procured petrol, and began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her ablaze.
“Neighbours had rescued the pair and taken them to nearby Kitale County Referral Hospital, where they were admitted with multiple burns.
“They were transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), where Cheptegei was admitted to the intensive care unit on Monday.
“Her condition looks serious with facial burns and bandages.”
The police further stated that the Ugandan athlete and Marangach were a couple who constantly had family wrangles.
Reports also revealed that the athlete had sustained burns over 75 percent of her body, and that her parents were travelling from Uganda to visit her.
They stated that their daughter had bought a land and built a house in the Trans-Nzoia area which lies on the border with Uganda.
