Who killed Kenyan born Ugandan Athlete Benjamin Kiplagat?

Two suspects have been arrested in the recent murder of Kenyan born athlete Kiplagat who has been representing Uganda.

The suspects David Ekhai Lokere and Peter Ushuru Khalumi, were arrested on the eve of New Year following scrutiny of the CCTV security footage. Kiplagat, who is an international athlete was killed in a shocking incident in Kimumu in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.

The 2008 World Junior 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Benjamin Kiplagat who represents Uganda in the 3,000m steeplechase was found murdered along the road on his way home situated in Kimumu.

According to the Moiben Sub-county police commandant Stephen Okal, they received a message from the public that an accident had occurred and the officers visited the scene at about 5.00 am on Sunday morning.

Upon scrutiny, the officers found that there was a man lying at the driver’s seat and he had been stabbed on his chest and had a deep cut on his neck.

So far, there is no clear motive identified. A lady who was seen with him shortly before he was killed is also being sought after by the police but so far she has evaded them.

Further details have emerged.DCI Officer Mwaniki from Moiben in Uasin Gishu told the court the murder investigation’s still on. He described finding the body with stab wounds and how they caught two suspects on Jan 1 in Eldoret and Kitale.

Mwaniki listed pending tasks: postmortem on the body, analyzing evidence from the suspects, and checking CCTV footage. They’re also after mobile records, car numbers, and statements from witnesses.

He’s worried about where the suspects live and the risk they might run if let go. Plus, they’re waiting on info from the Ugandan embassy about the victim’s past.

Lawyer George Sonkule, repping the accused, said they deserve their freedom, citing the Constitution. He pushed for bail, saying charges weren’t clear.

Sonkule claimed the suspects were assaulted during arrest, their phones taken, and money withdrawn from their accounts after sharing PINs.

The two were nabbed as prime suspects in the athlete’s murder. The police confirmed one worked as a boda boda rider and they found a bloodstained knife.

Kiplangat, a renowned long-distance runner, was killed, possibly for his phone and money. He was found dead in a car near Kimumu Secondary School with a deep neck wound. A bike nearby was abandoned, and more cash and a phone were missing.

Athletics Kenya officials, led by Barnabas Korir, mourned the loss of the athlete, praising his international career.