ELDORET, Kenya – Three-time Ugandan Olympian Benjamin Kiplagat tragically lost his life in a fatal stabbing incident in Eldoret, Kenya, on New Year’s Eve, authorities confirmed on Monday.
Police reported that Kiplagat’s body was found in his brother’s car on the outskirts of Eldoret with his throat slit. The discovery shocked the athletic community, with World Athletics expressing condolences and sympathy for the late runner.
Kiplagat was a prominent figure in the men’s steeplechase and had represented Uganda in three Olympics, achieving his highest finish of 9th place in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also participated in six World Athletics Championships, securing a 10th-place finish in the 2011 Daegu edition.
Throughout his career, Kiplagat earned three medals for Uganda, including a bronze in the 2012 African Championships. He also won a silver medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships and helped his team win a bronze at the 2008 World Cross Country Championships.
Following Kiplagat’s tragic death, authorities arrested two suspects. Moiben sub-county police commander Stephen Okal disclosed that one of the suspects was found with a knife believed to have been used in Kiplagat’s murder. The police believe robbery was the likely motive, citing the theft of money and a cell phone from Kiplagat.
The incident adds to a series of athlete killings in the region, including the fatal stabbings of Agnes Tirop, Damaris Muthee, and Rubayita Siragi in recent years. The police suspect robbery as the motive in Kiplagat’s case, adding to the troubling trend of violence targeting athletes.
In summary, Benjamin Kiplagat, a celebrated Ugandan athlete, tragically lost his life to a fatal stabbing in Kenya. The motive appears to be robbery, adding to a disturbing trend of violence against athletes in the region. The athletic community mourns the loss of a talented competitor and extends its condolences to Kiplagat’s loved ones.