Harriette Chiggai, Presidential Adviser on Women’s Rights, has strongly condemned the brutal attack on Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who succumbed to her injuries after a domestic dispute.
Cheptegei, a rising star who had recently competed in the Olympics at the age of 33, tragically lost her life following the violent incident that left the nation in shock.
Through a press statement sent to newsrooms on September 6, Chiggai expressed her deepest condolences to the family of the late athlete, particularly her two young daughters, who are now left without a mother.
Slain Athlete Cheptengei during olympic games in paris. Source: Al-Jazeera
“This is not just a tragedy for the family, but a stark reminder of the escalating cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in our society,” she said.
Also, She called Cheptegei’s death part of the “ever-silent pandemic” of intimate partner violence that continues to afflict countless women in Kenya, most of whom suffer in silence.
Chiggai stressed the need for urgent reforms and systemic changes to tackle the deeply rooted issue of GBV, which affects approximately 34% of Kenyan women from the age of 15.
She highlighted that Cheptegei’s death adds to the growing list of female athletes who have been victims of domestic violence, including Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua.
President William Ruto’s advisor on women rigjts. Source: Facebook
The Presidential Adviser urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to ensure that justice is served for Cheptegei and other victims of GBV. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls.
“We must do better to protect our women and girls,” Chiggai emphasized, calling on both state and local agencies to improve education, prevention, and reporting mechanisms.
Early this year, Kenya lost Marathoner Kelvin Kiptum to road accident and last year, Agnes Tiro was also murdered by her estranged husband.
