Justice Served: 35-Year Sentence for Benjamin Kiplagat’s Murderers
By The Public Lens
David Lokere and Peter Khalumi have been sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of renowned Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat. The crime occurred on December 31, 2023, in Eldoret, Kenya, where Kiplagat’s body was found with knife wounds on his neck.
Kiplagat, a talented 3,000-meter steeplechase athlete, was found dead in his brother’s vehicle on New Year’s Eve. The motive behind the attack appeared to be robbery, with Kiplagat’s cell phone and money stolen ³.
The swift arrest of Lokere and Khalumi was made possible by CCTV footage placing them at the crime scene. Justice Reuben Nyakundi found the duo guilty on October 28, citing sufficient scientific evidence and clear CCTV footage.
In his verdict, Justice Nyakundi stated, “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”. The CCTV footage showed Lokere and Khalumi chasing Kiplagat as he drove from Iten towards his home in Kimumu.
Kiplagat’s family, led by his brother Vincent Chemweno, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, considering it appropriate given the circumstances.
Lokere and Khalumi have 14 days to file an appeal.
During the trial, the duo denied the charges, with Kalumi claiming he was at a club in Eldoret at the time of the murder, and Lokere arguing he was transporting a customer when his motorbike was stolen.
However, the evidence proved otherwise, ensuring justice for Kiplagat’s family and the athletic community.
