2 Kenyans Jailed For 35 Years Over Olympics Star Edward Kiplagat Murder

On Tuesday, November 5, the High Court in Eldoret sentenced two men, David Lokere and Peter Khalumi, to 35 years in prison over the murder of Kenyan-born Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat on December 31, 2023.

Justice Reuben Nyakundi condemned the 25-year-old and 30-year-old suspects after deeming as substantial the prosecution's evidence including CCTV footage that linked them to Kiplagat’s fatal stabbing in Kimumu Estate, Uasin Gishu County.

The footage also revealed one of the attackers, armed with a knife, threatening the athlete as an accomplice, a boda boda rider, stood by.

"Scientific evidence that was produced before my court during the trial places the two of you at the scene of the brutal murder on the night of December 31, 2023, at Kimumu Estate on the outskirts of Eldoret town," Justice Nyakundi ruled.

David Ekai Lokere, 25, and Peter Ushuru Khalumi, 30, who have been jailed for 35 years for the murder of Kenyan-born Ugandan athlete Edward Kiplagat. /THE EASTLEIGH VOICE

While the court considered this was the first offence for both Lokere and Khalumi, Justice Nyakundi emphasised the gravity of the evidence in determining their involvement.

Kiplagat’s family, represented by his mother Elizabeth Chemweno, had called for a life sentence. However, the judge concluded that 35 years was proportionate to the circumstances surrounding the case. The court nonetheless gave the convicts 14 days to appeal the ruling.

Kiplagat's family, with his brother Vincent Chemweno speaking on their behalf, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that it brought a sense of justice and closure after the year-long mourning of the athlete’s death.

The sentencing came following the arrest of the prime suspects in the murder of Kiplagat on the following day, with police utilising CCTV footage obtained from the scene of the crime and other technical clues to pursue and arrest them. The footage showed the last moments of the murder, with a black Toyota Hilux which Kiplagat was driving, heading away from the full view of the camera with a man following closely behind.

However, the man was seen stopping to observe the happenings as the vehicle was reportedly intercepted by a motorcycle which is believed to have blocked his route.

After the athlete knocked it down, the riders were suspected to have committed the crime and fled the scene, with the footage capturing them making their escape, and leaving the motorcycle behind.

According to Moiben Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal, the officers were notified of an accident involving a motor vehicle and a motorcycle in the Kimumu area at around 5:00 am, only to find a deceased body in the driver's seat, which bore multiple stab wounds on the chest and neck.

The duo had, at the beginning of the trial, denied the charges, initially distancing themselves from the crime scene with Kalumi telling the court that he had been enjoying himself at a club in Eldoret at the time of the murder and that unknown people had committed the murder.

He also told the court that he had been physically assaulted by the police, who allegedly forcefully took his mobile banking details after confiscating his phone when they raided his home. 

Lokere, on the other hand, argued that he had been transporting a customer via motorbike towards Kimumu when he pulled a weapon on him and stole his motorbike. He then hailed another motorbike to take him back to his home in Langas.

Born and bred in Elgeyo Marakwet, Kiplagat had changed his nationality to Uganda and represented the country in global competitions such as the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, stamping his dominance in the men's 3,000-metre Steeplechase event.

In December 2023, the athlete was training in Iten in preparation for the upcoming athletics events slated for 2024.