Neighbour Recounts Horrific Moment Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Was Set on Fire by Assailant

She suffered brutal 80% burns after being doused in petrol and set alight

A neighbour on Saturday recounted the terrifying moment when renowned local athlete Rebecca Cheptegei was allegedly set ablaze by an assailant, later identified as her ex-partner.

The 33-year-old, who competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics last month, succumbed to severe burns on Thursday, four days after being doused with petrol and set alight at her home in western Kenya.

It was at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the same facility where Ms Cheptegei was treated.