EP 27: Rebecca Cheptegei Death & Ksh286M Tender
By Marvin Chege
Welcome to this week's episode of 'Spill The Tea' where we are condemning the murder of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei.
Plus, a Ksh286 million tender has the National Treasury issue a clarification on one of the officials and what you're feeling in the air is the aura of "...bado mapambano."
On Episode 27:
Announcement: Right after this episode, we take a short break as we relax and re-strategise for Season 3...the final season of 2024.
Rebecca Cheptegei Death: How It Happened
Before her death, Rebecca Cheptegei was a Ugandan athlete who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Aged 33, she finished 44th in the women’s marathon.
Four days ago, she was doused in petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya, in the latest attack on a female athlete in the country. She was rushed to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County for medical attention.
Cheptegei, who suffered burns to over 75 per cent of her body, was allegedly attacked by her partner in a domestic dispute. The burns came after she was set ablaze at her home in Kinyoro location.
According to a police report filed by area chief Rose Chebet, the boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly doused petrol on the athlete, who had just returned from church with her two children, before striking a match.
Ndiema also suffered burns and was admitted to the hospital as well. Police embarked on investigations into the circumstances of the incident, which was believed to have been instigated by a tussle over a piece of land.
Sports Principal Secretary Peter Tum revealed on Wednesday, September 4 that they were working closely with their Ugandan counterparts to ensure the Paris Olympian receives the best treatment.
“We have had discussions with the Minister of Sports in Uganda. We are working together to see whether we can airlift the lady from Eldoret to Nairobi for specialised treatment.
"We want to see that she is given the best available medical care in this country even as we discuss how to progress further,” Tum said during the launch of the Nairobi City marathon.
The attack occurred in Trans Nzoia County, where Cheptegei was staying in a house she maintains while training in Kenya. Trans Nzoia County police commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom confirmed that Ndiema is receiving medical care for burns covering 30 per cent of his body.
At the scene of the tragedy, police officers managed to recover a five-litre jerrican containing petrol and a mobile phone believed to belong to the deceased's boyfriend.
The area chief while detailing the occurrence revealed he heard the two fighting over the ownership of a piece of land where their house was built, a situation locals believed preceded the tragic incident.
While addressing the matter, Cheptegei's parents claimed the athlete bought the piece of land as she wished to be near the athletes' training centre.
The incident has since shocked both the local and international athletics communities, but it is the death of Cheptegei that sparked a nationwide and international uproar, evoking the ghosts of femicide last heard of in mainstream Kenya in January.
Reactions
After earlier condemning the incident, Uganda's Athletics Federation is now demanding justice for the now-deceased athlete.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace," the federation stated on X.
Reacting to the developments, Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen said he was deeply saddened by the loss of Cheptegei, terming her "Uganda's Women's Marathon record holder, and a Paris 2024 Olympian. Rebecca was an outstanding athlete who showcased the spirit of resilience in representing Uganda and East Africa."
"Her passing is not only a loss to Uganda and the athletics community but to the entire region. This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society, which in recent years has reared its ugly head in elite sporting circles. As a government, we remain committed to supporting justice for Rebecca. No one should have to go through such an ordeal. May her soul rest in peace," he said in a statement.
President William Ruto’s Advisor on Women's Rights, Harriette Chiggai, announced on Thursday, September 9 that her office together with the Ministry of Sports is working towards highlighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in sports.
"Despite the work of local and State Agencies to better educate and protect women from serialized Gender-Based Violence (GBV), instances of intimate partner violence continue to be underreported in Kenya. Ms Cheptegei is sadly the latest of women athletes who have been killed by their significant others or former partners. The list includes Agnes Tirop (2021) and Damaris Mutua (2022)," she stated.
"This Office together with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports is working towards spotlighting GBV in sports and creating mechanisms for prevention, reporting and responding on the vice."
Achievements & Athletics Career
Cheptegei was a renowned Ugandan long-distance runner who lived and trained in Kenya. She was also an officer with the Ugandan People's Defence Force.
Known for her dedication and hard work, Cheptegei made significant achievements in her athletic career, competing in various international competitions.
Cheptegei began her athletic career in 2010, initially focusing on middle-distance running. She quickly made a name for herself, winning the 1500m event at the München Pfingstmeeting in Munich. Upon her return to Uganda, she continued her winning streak, claiming victory in the 10,000m race in Kampala.
In 2011, Cheptegei competed in the World Cross Country Championships held in Punta Umbria. Despite finishing 55th, she did not let the disappointing result hold her back. She bounced back to finish second in both the Madrid half-marathon and the Cantalejo half-marathon, showcasing her resilience and determination.
Over the years, Cheptegei participated in a range of races, including 10km, 1500m, and half-marathon events, with varying results. In 2014, she won the 10km race at Santa Pola, and in the same year finished third at the Quanzhou half marathon in China.
Cheptegei’s breakthrough in marathon running came in 2022 when she won the Padova marathon in Italy, finishing with a time of 2:31:21. This victory was a significant milestone in her career, marking her first major marathon win.
Her best marathon performance, however, came in December 2022 when she clocked an impressive 2:22:47 to finish second in the Abu Dhabi marathon. This performance ranked her as the second-fastest female Ugandan marathoner of all time, according to World Athletics statistics.
In November 2023, Cheptegei placed third at the Firenze marathon in Italy. Following this achievement, she made her Olympic debut in Paris in 2024, representing Uganda in the women’s marathon.
She finished 44th in the event, which was won by Sifan Hassan. Despite not winning, her participation in the Olympics was a testament to her hard work and perseverance throughout her career
Past GBV Cases Involving Kenyan Athletes
In 2021, Agnes Tirop, a rising athletics star in Kenya and two-time World Championship bronze medallist, was found dead in her home with stab wounds to her neck. Her husband was charged with her murder but pleaded not guilty, and the case is ongoing.
In 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee Mutua was found dead with a postmortem report stating that she was strangled. Mutua’s boyfriend was identified as the main suspect and police are still searching for him.
Tirop’s death at the age of 25 shocked Kenya and led to current and former athletes setting up the non-profit charity foundation Tirop’s Angels to combat domestic violence against women and girls.
Look Back: Thousands of Kenyan women took to the streets in protest earlier this year in the largest demonstrations ever held in the country against gender-based violence. The marches against femicide took place following reports that 14 women had been killed in January 2024 alone as a result of gender-based violence.
Treasury Official & Saga Around Ksh286M Tender
Evans Chirchir was an official working at the National Treasury. His body was discovered in Machakos Level V Hospital, with his family reporting that the deceased who died on Friday, August 31, 2024, might have met his death because of the nature of his work at the National Treasury.
With investigations into the mysterious death underway, the family cited a section of friends who were scheduled to meet the deceased. Felix Kaeto, a lawyer to the family, who spoke during a press briefing on Wednesday, September 4, revealed that the friends wanted to meet the deceased in Machakos. However, it was after the meeting that they learnt of Chirchir’s disappearance.
"Before he died, there were some friends who summoned him and told him that they wanted to have a meeting with him at Machakos. After that meeting, Evans Chirchir disappeared," Kaeto disclosed.
The lawyer, who was in the company of his colleague, Philip Langat, had however noted that they were still gathering information from close friends of the deceased who had probably interacted with him before his death to aid in uncovering the circumstances under which he died.
The lawyers had moved to court under habeas corpus for Chirchir to be produced in court after his disappearance and it was then that the family informed them of the sudden turn of events that the body had been found in a mortuary.?
Reports indicated that the late Chirchir was working on a Ksh286 million tender at the Treasury during the period that he disappeared, and had expressed fears for his life on the same.
"The manner in which he was killed by the criminals is questionable and raises eyebrows. It cannot be a coincidence that it is not related to tender and work issues.," Kaeto stated, adding "The issues of tender can be related to the death and as such, we do not want to speculate on the circumstances but to demand justice."
According to the lawyers, Chirchir had faced the life threats which raised questions as to whether the death could be linked to issues surrounding tendering processes.
He was even said to have informed the brother about the unease he was experiencing with the process and even informed him that his life was in danger.
"What we are getting is that there was a tender of Ksh286 million and Chirchir also raised this issue and informed his brother that his life was in danger mainly because of the tendering process," Kaeto revealed.
"Were the issues surrounding the tendering process related to the death of Evans Chirchir? Those are the issues that we want the DCI to unravel.’’
The family, through the lawyers, demanded that the Inspector General of Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) get to the bottom of who...or?what killed their son.
"We want to inform the press and the entire nation that this is an issue that needs to be thoroughly investigated with speed,’’ Langat told the media, affirming "It is not just like any murder, it is a murder that is linked mainly with the procurement processes. Therefore, the investigations must move with speed."
Treasury Clarification
In a two-page clarification, Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo revealed that while the Treasury expressed its condolences to the family and friends of Chirchir, it termed as misleading information circulating regarding his duties at the Treasury offices.
To clarify the facts, Kiptoo revealed that Chirchir was an intern deployed to the National Treasury under the Public Service Internship Program (PSIP), Cohort 6, starting on February 1, 2024.
He was assigned to the procurement section but, as an intern, he was not actively involved in any tendering or procurement decision-making processes. Kiptoo noted that his disappearance occurred on the evening of Saturday, August 31, 2024, in the Kyumvi area, Machakos Junction, while returning from a private function in Makueni.?
Here is PS Kiptoo's further clarification:
According to the police, Mr Chirchir was knocked down by a vehicle on the night of 31st August 2024. The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Kyumvi has confirmed the arrest of the driver involved in the incident. A post-mortem examination is being conducted to ascertain the precise cause of death.
It is important to emphasize that Mr. Chirchir's passing was in no way related to his professional duties or any activities at the National Treasury. He was not involved in any sensitive or decision-making capacities within the department, and the incident that led to his death occurred during his private time, far from his work responsibilities.
At this difficult time, we offer our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. We urge the public to refrain from circulating unverified and speculative information that could cause further distress to the family and harm the reputation of the National Treasury.
We also call for patience as investigative agencies conduct their independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Mr Chirchir's death.
领英推荐
Evans Chirchir was one of many young Kenyans participating in the government’s PSIP, aimed at providing practical experience to university graduates. Since its inception, the program has placed thousands of interns in various government institutions, including the National Treasury.
The Autopsy & Fresh Details
An autopsy conducted at Machakos Funeral Home revealed that Chirchir died from head and back injuries, as well as broken legs, allegedly sustained in a hit-and-run accident in the Maanzoni area on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
According to police, the deceased, on the evening of August 30, received a call from one of his neighbours, Bosco Omondi, at around 9 pm, and immediately left to go meet him. Chirchir allegedly left his phone behind.
The deceased however did not return that night, prompting his brother, who lives with him in Athi River, to call Omondi early the next day and inquire about his whereabouts. Bosco informed the deceased's brother that he had parted ways with Chirchir after sharing a meal with him at Kyumbi Junction after leaving Makueni County.
Police sources indicate that Chirchir was run over by a black Toyota Harrier, registration number KCJ 410J. The vehicle was identified from debris and glass fragments of its side mirror found at the accident scene.
Chirchir's body was later taken to the Machakos Level 5 Hospital morgue, where it was initially booked as unknown by attendants. The driver implicated in the accident was subsequently arrested but freed on a Ksh50,000 bond. His vehicle was also processed and released after an NTSA inspection report.
He is scheduled to appear in court in two weeks where he will be charged with dangerous driving, causing death, and failing to report an accident.
Strikes...Strikes Everywhere
Do you smell that right now? It's the scent of multiple sectors calling for strikes. Let's start with the latest ones:
Healthcare Workers
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has threatened to mobilise protests in the next 14 days (from September 5) if the government fails to heed its three demands.
KMPDU and six healthcare workers' unions are demanding that county governments pay salaries, provide the workers with medical covers and remit deductions made for various institutions.
Other unions involved include the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT), Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dieticians (KUNAD), Kenya Health Professional Society (KEHPHPU), and Kenya National Union of Medical Officers (KNUNM).
The unions in a joint statement read by KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atellah, outlined the challenges facing health workers nationwide, highlighting that medical personnel in Meru, Machakos, West Pokot, Kakamega, Nairobi, Embu, Samburu, Taita Taveta, Homa Bay, Kisii, Kisumu, Nyamira, Mombasa, Kajiado, Migori, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, and Bungoma counties have endured delays or non-payment of salaries for up to three months, impacting their ability to provide essential services.
“These salary delays have caused immense suffering among healthcare workers across several counties. They can’t pay their rent, fuel their vehicles, or even cover basic utilities,” Atellah told journalists in Nairobi, adding “We cannot continue to watch our workers struggle to get to work while their salaries and welfare are ignored."
The unions further criticized the failure of several counties to provide comprehensive medical coverage to healthcare personnel and failing to remit third-party deductions such as bank loans, SACCO contributions, pensions, union dues and NHIF payments.
They subsequently issued a firm ultimatum to the counties, demanding that they address the aforementioned grievances within the next 14 days or they go on strike.
"All counties must procure proper medical cover for healthcare workers. This must be done within the next 14 days to ensure healthcare workers have access to the care they need. Counties in arrears must settle all outstanding salaries within the next 14 days. Failure to meet this demand will compel us to take industrial action to safeguard our members' welfare," read the statement.
"All counties must immediately remit third-party deductions, including loans. SACCO contributions, union dues, and NHIF deductions. These funds are vital for our members' financial stability and access to critical services. Failure to meet these demands within the stipulated timeframe will result in further action, including industrial strikes."
During the presser, the KMPDU SG warned that the union would mobilize all healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and laboratory technicians, to take industrial action if their demands were not met.
Aviation Workers
After staging a procession on Monday, September 2 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, workers at the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) vowed to paralyse all operations on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
The staff took to the streets on Monday morning in response to the government's plan to lease JKIA to India’s Adani Airport Holdings Limited, demanding answers from the relevant state institutions.
Led by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary General Moses Ndiema, the workers carried placards, while condemning the Public Private Partnership (PPP) deal, which would see Adani Group Holdings take control of East Africa’s busiest airport.
During their protest, they chanted “Adani must go” as they marched back to their workstations, arguing that the deal with Adani posed a threat to their jobs, favouring foreign workers over local employees.
Amidst their protest, service disruptions were witnessed at JKIA after dozens of passengers were either left stranded or took long hours undergoing check-in and check-out processes. We observed that several flights were delayed as a result of the industrial action.
The staff who had converged at the KAA head office voiced their concerns before being addressed by the KAA acting managing director Henry Ogoye.
Govt Intervention
The government through the Ministry of Labour on Wednesday, September 4 moved to address concerns raised by aviation workers during their recent demonstrations over plans to lease JKIA to the Adani group. Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua met with representatives and leaders of aviation workers, including select civil aviation employees, to listen to their concerns.
The attendees represented over 1,000 staff members, and Mutua, acting as an arbitrator between the employees and their employer, the Ministry of Transport, was keen to understand their views.
During the meeting, it was agreed that the CS would urge the Transport Ministry under his counterpart, Davis Chirchir, to provide them with all available information regarding the planned Public-Private Partnership (PPP) involving JKIA.
"I also encouraged them to seek out accurate information, ensuring their opinions are based on facts rather than propaganda," he added.
"I listened closely to their grievances and appreciated the need for better communication from their employer. We agreed that I would arrange for their union leaders to hold another session with the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport early next week."
Mutua lastly requested that the workers wait for the release of the necessary documents and further clarification from their employer before taking any further action.
He moved to assure them of his and the Ministry of Labour’s commitment to fairness and emphasized that their concerns, especially regarding how the proposed PPP will affect their rights and employment terms, will be addressed promptly.
Teachers
After days of stubbornness, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) called off the teachers' strike that had entered its second week.?KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori on Monday, September 2 announced that teachers could return to work, acknowledging that the strike had caused a lot of anxiety in the country.
Misori added that discussions are already underway with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to ensure teachers get the increments promised to them in the 2021-2025 Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA).
"In the ensuing arrangement, in compliance with the court order which is coming up on the 5th that is Thursday. From the union's side we suspend the strike and ask all our teachers to go back to class," Misori said.?He assured that the salary increment matter would be resolved speedily as agreed between the union and the commission.
Misori set the record straight by noting that the struggle was about the implementation of the CBA, assuring that?the dues the teachers were fighting for were paid.?
“We were also concerned about the compromised medical cover because medical facilities were sending away the teachers, including those who have terminal conditions,” he said. Misori noted that the union confirmed that even the budget allocation, which was reduced to Ksh11 billion, was restored.?
Subsequently, there were issues which were related to the promotion of teachers, something Misori reported that the portal of teachers’ promotions was opened and the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) was looking for funds to promote as many numbers of teachers who have stagnated in their jobs.
“We have also been assured that the teachers who are acting in positions of responsibility, without acting allowance, or special allowance, because of bottlenecks created by the salaries and remuneration commission will now be given the new consideration based on the outcome which has already begun with the commission,” Misori said.
But Wait...
Sharp divisions rocked the union followed the decision to call off the strike, with KUPPET officials from the Nyanza and Western regions calling for the resignation of the national office. Speaking in Kisumu, Vihiga County executive branch secretary Savala Inyeni differed with the call made by the union’s secretary general Akelo Misori, saying that the move was unprocedural.
Inyeni accused the top leadership of abandoning the cause, saying that the agreement between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the union was a raw deal. He claimed the agreement failed to shed light on the most contentious issue which is the stagnation of teachers in various job groups.
On his part, Kisii County branch executive Joseph Abincha also accused the top national officials of sabotage, indicating that the suspension was done in contravention of the union’s Constitution.
Misori on his part on September 5 insisted that the decision was not his alone, but a collective one made by the union's executive board. The teachers' strike, which had garnered widespread support from educators across the country, was abruptly halted after the TSC agreed to meet certain demands.
He clarified that the decision to call off the strike was made after wide consultations within the executive board. According to him, the union leadership had been granted the mandate by the NGC to negotiate with the TSC and arrive at a settlement.
"The mandate we executed was not the mandate of Akelo. Akelo speaks on behalf of the executive board," Misori stated, defending the union's decision. He further explained that the executive members, who have been criticising the outcome, were the same individuals who had earlier authorised the board to negotiate with the TSC.
Civil Servants
A deal was brokered between Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi and workers' union representatives who had earlier threatened to go on strike, seeing civil servants taking home increased salaries.
Muturi who spoke to the press on Tuesday, September 3, assured disgruntled workers that the government would implement the new wage structure in line with the second phase of its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). While addressing the matter, he called on the civil servants to exercise patience as the government intensified its efforts to ensure seamless payment.
According to the former Attorney General, he had already convened a meeting with the National Treasury during which the exchequer agreed to disburse the funds.
“The National Treasury has agreed to provide resources for the payment of civil servants' salaries as per the terms contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA),” Muturi assured the workers, adding “Indeed, I wish to thank the National Treasury for seeing to it that this agreement is honoured.”
Following the deliberations, the CS called on the Kenya Civil Service Union (KCSU) to withdraw the strike notice it issued on Monday, September 2, threatening to demonstrate after the government failed to heed to its promise.
KCSU had threatened to down tools by the end of this month should the government fail to fulfil all the terms reached in the CBA.
Here are other stories which were trending this week:
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