Kenya – The family of slain athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has altered the funeral plans due to the condition of the body, which sustained over 80% burns. According to her father, Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, the initial plan to hold a night vigil in Trans Nzoia on Thursday has been canceled.
“We have changed the plans because the body cannot take two days out of the morgue before burial,” Mzee Cheptegei explained. “The body will be removed from the Moi Referral Hospital morgue on Friday not Thursday and taken straight to Uganda via Endebes.”
Her father, Mzee Joseph Cheptegei, says the body will be removed from the Moi Referal Hospital morgue on Friday and not Thursday as had been earlier planned.
Mzee Cheptegei, who was at the MTRH morgue to witness the postmortem exercise, added that the body will be taken to their home in Endebes for a short stay before being transported to Bukwo in Uganda for burial on Saturday.
From Endebes to Bukwo is about two-hour drive and Mzee Cheptegei said the body would be moved by road.
She is at the morgue along with Cheptegei’s sister Sarah Cheptegei and a cousin, Michael Arap Tumbo.
The late Rebecca was a member of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and will be accorded a military burial.
The hospital CEO, Dr. Phillip Kirwa, confirmed that a postmortem exercise was conducted on the athlete’s body and promised to issue a statement afterwards.
Rebecca Cheptegei’s death has sent shockwaves in the athletic community, and her family is seeking justice for the slain athlete.
