Benjamin Kiplagat's murder: Details of key suspects emerge, motive of killing revealed

Ugandan long-distance runner Benjamin Kiplagat was found murdered in Kimumu in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, on Sunday morning.

Kiplagat was stabbed while in the car on the way to his home in Kimunu, having been found with a deep knife cut down his neck.

Moiben Sub-county police commandant Stephen Okal revealed on Monday that two suspects had been arrested.

Okal added that the main suspects in the murder of the athlete included a boda boda rider and another unidentified person.

"We have the two suspects in custody, and they have been positively identified," Okal was quoted as saying by The Star.

The Police Commander further disclosed that the two were wanted criminals who had been tormenting residents of the region for quite some time.

In more revelation, Okal indicated that the motive of the gruesome murder appeared to be a criminal incident and that a mobile phone and money were stolen from the athlete.

"We have cast our net wide as we go on with investigations to arrest anyone else involved," said Okal.

It should be noted that Kiplagat, who represented Uganda, won the 2008 World Junior 3,000m steeplechase silver medal at 8:19.24.

He then represented Uganda in the Rio Olympics Games in 2016 in Brazil.

According to the World Athletics Rankings, he was placed 38th overall in the Men's 3,000-metre Steeplechase.