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He said that the main suspects in the murder of the athlete included a boda boda rider and another person.
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"We have the two suspects in custody and they have been positively identified," said Okal.
Image: HANDOUT
World Athletics has led the world in mourning former world junior 3,000 m steeplechase silver medalist Edward Kiplagat alias Benjamin.
The Kenyan-born cum Ugandan was found on Sunday morning murdered in Eldoret’s Kimumu Estate with knife stabs on the neck where he was pronounced dead.
The athletics body wrote on X that they are saddened by the death of the athlete, who holds the Ugandan 3,000m steeplechase record.
“World Athletics is shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Benjamin Kiplagat. We send our deepest condolences to his friends, family, teammates and fellow athletes. Our thoughts are with them all at this difficult time,” wrote WA on X.
On Sunday, the police led by Moiben sub-county police commander Stephen Okal said the body of the athlete was found with injuries on the neck.
However, on Monday, Okal confirmed that two suspects had been arrested.
He said that the main suspects in the murder of the athlete included a boda boda rider and another person.
"We have the two suspects in custody and they have been positively identified," said Okal.
He said the two were wanted criminals who had been tormenting residents of the region for long.
Okal said the motive of the killing 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.
Kiplagat won the 2008 World Junior 3,000m steeplechase silver medal at 8:19.24 behind Kenyan Jonathan Ndiku Muia with 8:17.28 and Kenyan Patrick Kipyegon Terer settling for bronze in 8:25.14.
Okal said that on Sunday, they found him lying in the driver’s seat and he had been stabbed in his chest and had a deep cut on his neck.
Kipagat has represented Uganda in many world events as well as the continental championships.
He flew the Ugandan flag at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi coming 4th in the 3,000m steeplechase.
He was part of the 2011 World Championships team in Daegu, South Korea finishing the 10th and 2012 Olympic Games reaching the semifinals.
He won a bronze medal at the Africa Championships in Porto Novo in Benin in 2012.
At the same time, he missed a chance at the Beijing World Championships after losing in the heats.
He won a bronze medal at the Africa Championships in Porto Novo in Benin in 2012 before finishing in the heats at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.