Olympic distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei (C) of Uganda, who competed in last month's Paris Olympics, is in critical condition after suffering burns to 75% of her body. Police have accused her former boyfriend of attacking her with gasoline and setting her on fire. File Photo by Istvan Derencsenyi/EPA-EFE
Weeks after competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition after she was allegedly set on fire by her former boyfriend, according to police.
Cheptegei, 33, is receiving treatment for burns to 75% of her body and is "fully sedated because of the extent of the burns," according to her doctors.
The marathon runner was attacked at her home Sunday in western Kenya after returning home from church with her two children.
"The couple were heard quarreling outside their house in the small town of Endebess. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her," local police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom told reporters.
"The man was also caught in the same fire and sustained serious burns," Kosiom added.
A local administrator in Trans Nzoia county, which is close to Kenya's athletic training centers, said the couple had been fighting over a piece of land Cheptegei purchased to build her house.
Police said Cheptegei's former boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, poured gasoline on her and also was burned in the fire. Both are receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.
"We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics, has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her," the Uganda Athletics Federation wrote in a post on X.
Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at last month's Olympics. She also won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai Thailand two years ago. Cheptegei is not the only athlete in Kenya to be targeted by a partner.
Kenyan-born Bahraini runner Damaris Mutua was found strangled in 2022 in the Rift Valley town of Iten. Months earlier, record-breaking long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same town.
Ugandan Olympic runner and steeplechaser Benjamin Kiplagat was stabbed to death by assailants in Eldoret last year. By Sheri Walsh, UPI
Cattle recovered by police in Daaba, Isiolo after they were stolen from Samburu East. [File. Standard]
A recent report has uncovered a disturbing transformation of banditry and cattle rustling across 13 counties. The study indicates that more than 300 people have been killed since last year, with a higher number of injuries recorded.
Increased use of terrorism-like violence against victims, including unarmed and vulnerable groups such as women and children, shows that the modern-day livestock rustling has evolved significantly from the traditional cattle raiding practices.
The report by National Crime and Research Centre (NCRC) shows that perpetrators are now employing modern weaponry and primarily assault rifles alongside traditional weapons like bows, arrows and knives.
Titled “Preliminary Report on Managing the Dangerous Drift in Livestock Rustling and Banditry in Kenya”, the report reveals that the weapons are often sourced from cross-border suppliers, local businessmen and even politicians.
Increased commercialisation is now the driving force, with a rise in frequency of the raids and number of animals being stolen.
The quest to meet a growing demand for stolen livestock and their products has turned what was once a cultural practice into an organised criminal enterprise.
“Other important drivers and factors sustaining present-day livestock rustling and banditry include historical ethnic or intercommunity hostility, inter-community competition for scarce natural or economic resources, socio-cultural reasons, an inadequately regulated market for livestock-related products, cycles of revenge, the need to restock after loss of livestock during droughts, acceptance of livestock rustling and banditry as a norm accepted by the local communities, developmental marginalisation of the pastoral cluster regions, and political motivation,” the report notes.
The study, which covered Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Isiolo, Laikipia, Marsabit, Samburu, and West Pokot counties, found that different regions experience unique aspects of this evolving crime.
However, some common factors emerged across the affected areas.
Key drivers sustaining these activities include the proliferation of illegal small arms, high levels of illiteracy among the youth, poverty and the government’s inability to provide adequate security to vulnerable communities.
The report identifies various actors involved. Unemployed male youth, including community warriors and gangs, are at the forefront.
However, politicians, business persons, community elders and even rogue government officials, including some security personnel, are abetting the crimes.
Elders have been accused of recruiting raiders, offering spiritual support and helping to conceal stolen livestock and weapons.
The report cites women and children as part of the problem.
“The main roles of women were reported to include: hero worship and cherishing (for example through praise songs) of successful youthful livestock rustlers and bandits; cooking for the livestock rustlers and bandits; helping in hiding and moving stolen livestock; and participating in the socialisation of children into livestock rustling and banditry.”
Children are reportedly used for hiding and moving stolen animals as well as gathering information on potential targets.
The study further reveals a pattern in the timing of these criminal activities. Most incidents occur during weekends, particularly on Sundays, and at night.
The raids peak during rainy and dry seasons, and festive periods.
“Again, most incidents happened during the months of December, followed by April and then November, thus reinforcing another finding that most incidents happened during the rainy seasons, followed by dry seasons and then festive seasons. Furthermore, most incidents were likely to occur during the Christmas festive season, followed by the season of community cultural festivals.”
According to the report, men, especially those aged 34 and below, suffered the most during such incidents, with this being the pattern in eight out of the 13 counties.
“Mapping of the movement and/or destinations of the livestock taken during incidents of rustling and banditry showed that most of the animals taken (75.5 per cent) ended up within the neighbouring counties; 21.1 per cent ended up within the same local community they had been stolen from; 18.5 per cent ended up in other communities within the county they had been stolen from; and 10.4 per cent ended up in distant counties not in the neighbourhood,” the report adds.
The report emphasises that the nature of modern banditry poses a significant threat to the national security. It calls for a change from the current militarised approach to security-based intervention.
In 2022, President William Ruto vowed to put an end to the perennial banditry. He launched Operation Maliza Uhalifu early last year and a commitment to allocate Sh2 billion to the operation. But the crimes continue. By Maryann Muganda, The Standard
Indian airports operator Adani’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) expansion proposal is being subjected to heightened public scrutiny. This is as it should be so that Kenyans get bang for their buck.
No doubt, JKIA is in dire need of expansion. Built to handle two million passengers annually, it has long breached that figure. Patching over the years has seen it take on close to eight million and growing. It can no longer support the projected growth at 4 per cent annually expected to reach 42.1 million passengers annually by 2050.
A sober approach to this problem is needed that will not only provide value for taxpayers but also lead to the rapid growth of the country across multiple sectors driven by a cogent national aviation policy. Kenya is not alone in grappling with this airport challenge. It should consider how other countries have resolved the same and perhaps borrow a leaf.
Take Hong Kong, for instance. In 1997, after 73 years of service, the Kai Tak Airport was permanently closed and replaced by a new airport at Chek Lap Kok. The former airport was turned into an urban park that serves as a public space for residents and tourists.
Consider Turkey. In 2019, the Ataturk International Airport was closed off to all international passenger travel which was diverted to the newly built Istanbul International Airport. The new airport now has the potential to accommodate 200 million passengers annually whilst the old is now solely for cargo and domestic travel.
Closer home, Rwanda is building a new airport in Bugesera District. It is expected to start operations in 2028. Ethiopia has recently signed an agreement for the design of a new four-runway airport. It is said that on completion, it will be Africa’s biggest airport.
From the foregoing, Kenya’s solution to the constraints at JKIA may lie in the building of a totally new facility. JKIA faces many challenges that cannot be resolved by further patchwork. Because of its relatively high elevation, planes cannot fly to the US on a full load.
It is for the same reason some models of fully loaded planes cannot fly to Europe. Fresh thinking would consider moving Kenya’s premier gateway to the Konza plains where the elevation is perfect and space available to construct a purpose-built airport with infinite possibilities. By Leonard Khafafa, The Standard
The E-commerce market in Kenya is expected to grow by 12.86% on annual basis to reach US$2.6 billion in 2024. Medium to long term growth story of E-commerce industry in Kenya promises to be attractive. The E-commerce is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 9.97% during 2024-2028. The E-commerce Gross Merchandise Value in the country will increase from US$2.3 billion in 2023 to reach US$3.8 billion by 2028.
This report provides a detailed data centric analysis of E-commerce market dynamics, covering over 100 KPIs in Kenya. It details market opportunity across key B2C verticals - Retail Shopping, Travel & Hospitality, Online Food Service, Media and Entertainment, Healthcare and Wellness, and Technology Products and Services. It provides market share by key players across key verticals along with sales channels (Platform to Consumer, Direct to Consumer, Consumer to Consumer). In addition, it provides spending pattern by payment instruments along with a snapshot of consumer behaviour in Kenya.
The report also covers niche trends such as market size by live streaming engagement model and cross border purchases. It also covers ecommerce spend share by operating systems, device (mobile vs desktop) and cities. In addition, to detailed data-centric analysis, this report provides analyst commentary on key trends, drivers, strategies, and innovations in the E-commerce industry in Kenya.
Reasons to buy
In-depth Understanding of Ecommerce Market Dynamics: Understand market opportunities and key trends along with forecast (2019-2028). Understand market dynamics through essential KPIs such as Gross Merchandise Value, Volume, and Average Value Per Transaction.
Insights into Opportunity by Ecommerce Categories: Get market dynamics by sales channel to assess emerging opportunities across various segments.
Detailed analysis of market share by key players across key Ecommerce verticals.
Insights into Opportunities across key Ecommerce verticals: Retail shopping, travel & hospitality, online food service, media and entertainment, healthcare and wellness, and technology products & services.
Develop Market Specific Strategies: Identify growth segments and target specific opportunities to formulate an Ecommerce strategy; assess market-specific key trends, drivers, and risks in the Ecommerce industry.
Get Insights into Consumer Attitude and Behaviour: Drawing from proprietary survey results, this report identifies and interprets key Ecommerce KPIs, including spend by age, gender, and income level.
Key Attributes:
Report Attribute
Details
No. of Pages
110
Forecast Period
2024 - 2028
Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024
$2.61 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028
$3.82 Billion
Compound Annual Growth Rate
9.9%
Regions Covered
Kenya
Scope
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics
Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis
Average Value Per Transaction Trend Analysis
Gross Merchandise Volume Trend Analysis
Kenya User Statistics and Ratios of Key Performance Indicators
User Statistics
Card Abandonment Rate and Product Return Rate
Ecommerce Per Capita and GDP Per Capita
GDP Per Capita Trend Analysis
Kenya Ecommerce Market Share by Key Players
Kenya Retail Shopping Ecommerce Market Share by Key Players
Kenya Travel Ecommerce Market Share by Key Players
Kenya Food Service Ecommerce Market Share by Key Players
Avechi
Jiji
Jumia
Kilimall
MyDawa
Bolt Food
Jumia Food
LetaFood
Uber Eats
Yum Deliveries
Hava Net Limited
Hemingways Travel
Little Cab
Maramoja Transport
Wasili
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Forecast by Ecommerce Segments (Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis
Retail Shopping (breakdown by clothing, footwear & accessories, health, beauty and personal care, food & beverage, appliances and electronics, home improvement, books, music & video, toys & hobby, auto)
Travel and Hospitality (breakdown by air travel, train & bus, taxi service, hotels & resorts)
Online Food Service (breakdown by aggregators, direct to consumer)
Media and Entertainment (breakdown by streaming services, movies & events, theme parks & gaming)
Healthcare and Wellness
Technology Products and Services
Other segments
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Forecast by Retail Shopping Sales Channel
Platform to Consumer
Direct to Consumer
Consumer to Consumer
Kenya Ecommerce Market Share by Travel and Hospitality Sales Channel
Market Share by Travel and Hospitality Sales Channel
Aggregator App - Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis
Direct to Consumer - Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Forecast by Online Food Service Sales Channel
Aggregator App
Direct to Consumer
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Forecast by Engagement Model (Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis, 2019-2028)
Website Based
Live Streaming
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Forecast by Location (Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis
Cross Border
Domestic
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Forecast by Device (Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis
Mobile
Desktop
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Forecast by Operating System
iOS/macOS
Android
Other Operating Systems
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Forecast by City
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Kenya Ecommerce Market Size and Forecast by Payment Instrument (Gross Merchandise Value Trend Analysis, 2019-2028)
Credit Card
Debit Card
Bank Transfer
Prepaid Card
Digital & Mobile Wallet
Cash
Other Digital Payment
Kenya Ecommerce Consumer Demographics
Market Share by Age Group
Market Share by Income Level
Market Share by Gender
ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Business Wire
Led by Elon Musk, Starlink has agreed to comply with the decision to block X nationwide after the Supreme Court ordered its shutdown. Elon Musk's Starlink Agrees To Comply With Supreme Court Decision To Block X In Brazil Photo: | File Pic
A day after Starlink stated it would not comply with the Brazilian Supreme Court's order to block social media platform X, the satellite-based internet service provider has backtracked. Led by Elon Musk, Starlink has agreed to comply with the decision to block X nationwide after the Supreme Court ordered its shutdown.
In a statement posted on X, Starlink confirmed that it would comply with Justice Alexandre de Moraes' order, despite the Supreme Court judge freezing the company's assets.
“Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil. We continue to pursue all legal avenues, as are others who agree that @alexandre's recent order violates the Brazilian constitution," read the official statement from the internet service provider.
Previously, Starlink stated that it would not comply with the order to block X across Brazil. However, after Musk's retaliation, Moraes ordered to freeze Starlink's accounts last week. Starlink's assets were frozen in order to cover the three million dollars fined to X.
The list of assets frozen by the Supreme Court include bank accounts and financial assets of Starlink Brazil Holding Ltda and Starlink Brazil Servicos de Internet Ltda along with cars, real estate, boats and aircraft.
Following a feud between Musk and Justice Alexandre de Moraes over allegations of disinformation on X, the Supreme Court judge orders a nationwide ban on the social media platform, locking out its 22 million users.by Taboola
The ban was later upheld by a panel of judges at Brazil's top court, paving the way for a nationwide ban of the social media platform. Outlook
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