NAIROBI: Two Kenyan men were found guilty on Monday of murdering Ugandan Olympic distance runner Benjamin Kiplagat, found stabbed to death in the East African country’s north-west on New Year’s Eve.

Peter Ushuru Khalumi and David Ekai Lokere were convicted of murdering the 34-year-old Olym­pian by Eldoret High court, after a trial in the Rift Valley town.

Judge Reuben Nyakundi said CCTV showed the men — who the court gave as 30 and 25 years old — chasing the athlete as he drove to his house in Kimumu Estate on Dec 31 last year.

“Scientific evidence that was produced before the court during the trial shows the two of you at the scene of the brutal murder on the night of Dec 31, 2023,” said Nyakundi.

“The evidence in court shows the suspects are guilty. The defence is too weak to exonerate them.”

Both men denied being at the scene of the crime.

They were arrested a day after the athlete’s body, a deep wound to his neck, was found in his car on the outskirts of Eldoret.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2024