Cheptegei's death from burns draws outrage

Outrage and sorrow greeted the death on Sept 5 of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who succumbed to severe burns after being doused with petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend.

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It was the latest horrific act of gender-based violence in the east African country, where activists have warned of a rising femicide epidemic.

The 33-year-old long-distance runner died because of "multiple organ failure", the doctor treating her at a hospital in Eldoret in western Kenya told reporters.

"Her injuries were extensive and covered most parts of her body," added Kimani Mbugua, head of the intensive care unit at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

"We tried our best but we did not succeed. Looking at her age and the over 80 per cent burns she suffered, the hope of recovery was slim." Police say the attack was carried out on Sept 1 by Cheptegei's Kenyan partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach. It took place just weeks after Cheptegei made her Olympic debut in the women's marathon at the Paris Games, where she finished 44th.