Ugandan Athlete Benjamin Kiplagat Stabbed to Death in Kenya

Eldoret, Kenya – December 31, 2023

In a shocking turn of events, Kenyan-born Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat, 34, was found dead on Saturday night with a deep knife cut wound on his neck inside his brother’s car in Texas, near Kimumu Secondary School along Eldoret-Iten Road, Eldoret, western Kenya.

Moiben Sub-County Police Commander, Stephen Okal, confirmed the tragic incident, stating that investigations have been launched to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime. The discovery of Kiplagat’s lifeless body has sent shockwaves through the sports community, leaving many questioning the motive behind the heinous act.

Kiplagat, known for his prowess in the 3000m Steeplechase, was a prominent figure in Ugandan athletics. He had taken up running inspired by the success of Boniface Kiprop, who hails from the same village as Kiplagat, especially after Kiprop’s notable performance in the 2004 World Junior Championships.

The late athlete initially competed in the 10,000 meters but later shifted to the 1500 and 5000 meters on the advice of his coach. Kiplagat made his international debut at the 2006 World Cross Country Championships, where he set a new national junior record of 8:35.77, subsequently lowering it to 8:34.14 in the final, finishing in 6th place.

Despite facing setbacks such as malaria and typhoid in the 2009 season, Kiplagat continued to break records, lowering the Ugandan national record to 8:12.98. In 2010, despite battling malaria and a leg boil, he achieved a remarkable record of 8:03.81 and secured a fourth-place finish at the Commonwealth Games.

The motive behind the tragic stabbing remains unclear, and authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may aid in solving the case. The sports community mourns the loss of a talented athlete, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding Benjamin Kiplagat’s death are ongoing.

This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.