Former Ugandan steeplechase Olympian Benjamin Kiplagat discovered fatally stabbed in Kenya

ELDORET, Kenya — Police in Kenya are investigating the slaying of three-time Ugandan Olympian Benjamin Kiplagat, whose physique was discovered with stab wounds inside his brother’s automotive on Sunday morning, a neighborhood official mentioned.

Kiplagat had been driving the automotive earlier than his physique was found within the automobile on the outskirts of Eldoret, a city positioned 163 miles west of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, in accordance with Stephen Okal, police commander from the close by Moiben space.

“This was murder, but we do not know the motive for now,” Okal mentioned.

As a long-distance runner, Kiplagat specialised within the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He represented Uganda in six World Athletics Championships and on the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.

He reached the semi-finals of the 2012 London Olympics.

Athletics Kenya official Barnabas Korir mourned the athlete’s demise.

“We urge the police to speed up investigations and … book his killers,” Korir mentioned.