A Ugandan athlete living in western Kenya has been attacked, doused in petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend, according to local police. 

Rebecca Cheptegei, a marathon runner who recently competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, is receiving treatment for burns to 75 per cent of her body, authorities say.

The 33-year-old athlete was allegedly attacked in her house in Kenya's western Trans Nzoia County on Sunday, when her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerry can of petrol, poured it on her and set her on fire during a disagreement, according to police.

Local media outlets reported that neighbours had to rescue Cheptegei and put out the fire. Ndiema also sustained burn wounds in the incident.

Trans Nzoia County police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom told Kenyan newspaper The Standard that the couple was "heard quarrelling outside their house" before the incident.

"During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her," Mr Kosiom said.

"The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns."

Both Ndiema and Cheptegei are receiving specialised treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.

Cheptegei's parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county's many athletic training centres.

Cheptegei finished 44th in the Paris Olympics women's marathon earlier this year. 

In 2022, she competed in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and won gold.

After news of the attack broke, Ugandan Olympic Committee president Donald Rukare called for an end to violence against women.

"Our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei was viciously attacked by her boyfriend, sustaining serious burns, currently admitted in hospital," he posted on X.

"Let's keep Rebecca in pray and wish her a full recovery. Let's all say NO to violence especially against women.

"This is totally unacceptable and we condemn this totally uncalled for attack. Together let's stand against violence."

In April 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was found dead in the town of Iten. A post-mortem report found that she had was strangled.

Professional long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was killed in the same town just months before in October 2021.

She was found with multiple stab wounds in the neck and abdomen.

In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner and steeplechaser Benjamin Kiplagat was also found dead with stab wounds. 

ABC/AP