Kenyan police has disclosed on Monday that they have arrested two people in connection with the weekend stabbing to death of Ugandan athlete, Benjamin Kiplagat.
The two men said to be in their 30s, were arrested on the outskirts of the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, local police commander Stephen Okal said on Monday.
“The two suspects are known criminals who have been terrorising the members of the public… We are in the advanced stage of the investigations and we will possibly be sending them to court tomorrow .
The Kenyan-born had proudly represented Uganda in three Olympic Games and participated in six world championships, leaving an indelible mark on the world of athletics. His notable achievements include reaching the semi-finals of the 2012 London Olympics in the 3,000m steeplechase.
The 34-year-old’s body was found in a car on Saturday night with a deep knife wound to his neck.
While the motive of the killing was still unknown, police said investigations had shown that Kiplagat had been “waylaid” by the two men before he hit their motorcycle with his car.
“This probably provoked them into that violent act,” Okal told AFP, referring to the stabbing.
One of the suspects had been arrested with a knife believed to have been used in the killing, he added.
Eldoret is known for being home to numerous athletes who undergo training in the high-altitude region.
Kiplagat, whose career spanned about 18 years, won the silver medal in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2008 World Junior Championships and bronze at the Africa Championships in 2012.
