|
Listen to article
|
Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who recently captivated audiences with her impressive performance at the Paris Olympics, is now struggling to survive after being maliciously set on fire by a Kenyan man. As the sports world rallies around her, Cheptegei’s loved ones anxiously await her recovery from this heinous attack.
The Ugandan athlete, 33, is undergoing treatment at Eldoret’s Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, a leading medical facility in the Kenyan Rift Valley. Since Sunday’s attack, a team of dedicated healthcare professionals has been working around the clock to ensure Cheptegei receives the best possible care.
On Tuesday, hospital acting CEO Owen Menach delivered a sobering assessment, revealing that Cheptegei’s burns cover 80% of her body. Yet, even in the face of such a daunting challenge, Menach expressed determination, stating that the medical team is sparing no effort to save her life, with a multifaceted approach aimed at supporting her recovery.
According to authorities, Cheptegei was brutally attacked by Dickson Ndiema Marangach, who splashed petrol on her and ignited it at her residence in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County. The heinous crime has sparked widespread outrage and concern for the athlete’s well-being.
Wednesday brought no new information from the hospital regarding Cheptegei’s health status, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding her condition and fueling concerns among her loved ones and the athletic community.
However, a medical counsellor at the hospital, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the press, said her condition had worsened.
“Cheptegei has developed a bacterial infection of sepsis due to the severe injuries to the stomach and the lower part of the body,” the counsellor said.
Top Kenyan sports ministry official Peter Tum said on Wednesday that the Ugandan and Kenyan governments were both involved in her care.
Read also: Del-York, Enugu Govt Set To Partner To Develop 042 Arena
“There are efforts to make sure the athlete, who is admitted in Eldoret, is airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment,” he said in a local television interview, without giving further details.
Kenyan media reported that one of Cheptegei’s daughters witnessed the assault at her mother’s home.
“He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother,” Kenya’s The Standard reported her as saying.
“I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible,” said the girl, who has not been named.
The Standard has disclosed that Cheptegei is a mother to two daughters, aged nine and 11, who are likely struggling to come to terms with the shocking incident that has left their mother in a critical condition.
