By Mwibanda
Eldoret – Dickson Ndiema, the ex-lover of renowned athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, has passed away at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. The hospital confirmed that Ndiema died on Monday night while receiving treatment in the ICU.
Ndiema’s death comes just days after Cheptegei also passed away at the same hospital. The tragic series of events began when Ndiema attacked Cheptegei at her home in Trans Nzoia. He allegedly doused her with petrol and set her on fire, resulting in severe burns for both individuals. Cheptegei sustained over 80% burns, while Ndiema suffered more than 30%.
Cheptegei’s funeral arrangements are set for this Saturday in Uganda. Her family, led by her father Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, has confirmed that she will be honored with a military burial, reflecting her status as a member of the Uganda People Defense Forces (UPDF). The burial will take place in Bukwo, Eastern Uganda.
The family is coordinating with both the Kenyan and Ugandan governments to ensure a respectful and fitting send-off. A postmortem examination of Cheptegei’s body is scheduled for Wednesday to determine the exact cause of death and aid in the grieving process.
Following the postmortem, Cheptegei’s body will be transferred from the morgue on Thursday morning. It will then be taken to her home in Endebes, Trans Nzoia, for a night vigil, allowing local residents to pay their respects. On Friday, the body will be transported to Bukwo for an overnight vigil before the funeral on Saturday.
Top officials from both Kenya and Uganda are expected to attend the funeral, marking the end of a deeply tragic chapter for those affected.
