Two men receive 35-year sentence for killing athlete Benjamin Kiplagat in Kenya in 2023
The steeplechaser was fatally stabbed on New Year’s Eve 2023 in Eldoret, western Kenya, a city known for being home to many top athletes.
On Nov. 4, a Kenyan court sentenced two men to 35 years in prison for the murder of Ugandan Olympian Benjamin Kiplagat in 2023.
Peter Ushuru Khalumi, 30, and David Ekai Lokere, 25, were found guilty of killing the steeplechase specialist in Eldoret, western Kenya.
During the sentencing hearing at the Eldoret High Court, Justice Reuben Nyakundi condemned their actions, stating, “Your actions were cruel and contrary to God’s plan for human life.”
The killers were seen on CCTV following the athlete in his car before attacking him in a premeditated manner and fleeing on a motorbike. The motive behind the murder remains unclear.
Judge Nyakundi emphasized the lack of remorse shown by the convicted men and dismissed their pleas of innocence in light of the evidence presented against them.
Kiplagat’s mother, Elizabeth Chemwemo, emotionally requested life sentences for the perpetrators during the court session.
Despite the family’s initial call for life imprisonment, they expressed satisfaction with the 35-year sentence, believing that justice had been served.
After the sentencing, the athlete’s brother Vincent Chemweno acknowledged, “We are grateful that justice has been served, even though we had hoped for a harsher sentence,” as reported by NTV Kenya.
Benjamin Kiplagat, a prominent steeplechaser, had represented Uganda at multiple Olympic Games and held the national record in the event.
His athletic career included appearances at world championships and a bronze medal at the 2012 African championships.
Tragically, several elite athletes have fallen victim to violence in Kenya in recent years, particularly in the vicinity of Eldoret.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
