Two suspects in murder of athlete Benjamin Kiplagat deny charges

Two men accused of killing Kenyan-born Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat in 2023 have told a court in Eldoret that they were not at the scene murder as alleged by their accusers.

Appearing before Justice Reuben Nyakundi, Peter Ushuru 30 and David Ekai 25, who have been in Eldoret GK remand prison since their arrest in December 2023 told the judge that they were victims of circumstances.

Ushuru stated that he was on a spending spree at one of clubs in Eldoret town on the night the Ugandan runner was murdered.

Kiplagat was killed while heading to his house in Kimumu estate along the Eldoret-Iten highway on December 30.

He recounted how a team of police officers in civilian clothes broke into his house as he was asleep and ordered him to hand over his mobile phone and disclose the M-pesa pin number.

The two accused persons have been on trial over the killing of the athlete.

The 2008 World Junior and 3,000 metres steeplechase silver medalist was murdered along the road on his way home on the eve of New Year.

In his defense, the boda boda rider told the court that he was on normal night chores ferrying customers to various destinations at a fee within and outside Eldoret town.

Ekai shocked the court when he claimed that he was a victim of robbery on the material night that he is said to be at the scene where the international runner was found murdered.

Justice Nyakundi directed the prosecution and defence team to submit their written submission before him on September 24 pending further directions.