In a sombre ceremony that brought together two nations: Uganda and Kenya in mourning, Benjamin Edward Kiplagat, a beloved and accomplished athletics champion, has been laid to rest.  

The celebrated Ugandan steeplechase runner, who was brutally murdered in Texas, Eldoret-Kenya, early this month, was buried on Thursday, January 11, 2024, in his Kenyan ancestral home of Kamendi village, Transzoia county.  

Following several meetings, the family decided to bury Kiplagat in Kenya.  

The untimely demise of the top athlete sent shockwaves through the sports community and beyond, leaving fans grappling with grief and unanswered questions.

Hailing from Uganda and Kenya, hundreds of mourners, including family, friends, teammates and fans, gathered at the little-known cross-border village of Kamendi to bid farewell to the sports icon whose life was tragically cut short.  

The funeral procession was led by grieving family members, local leaders and fellow athletes.

The world marathon star Eluid Kipchoge led the Kenyan team of athletes in attendance while Uganda Athletics Federation vice-president Benjamin Njia and 10000m reigning world Champion Joshua Cheptegei ensured the Ugandan contingent made its way through the border to pay their respects.  

Many held banners, flags and memorabilia adorned with Kiplagat's image, creating a moving display of solidarity and shared grief.

Kiplagat, known for his unparalleled skill, dedication and sportsmanship, rose to fame as one of the most celebrated steeplechase figures in Ugandan athletics.

His contributions to the field not only earned Kiplagat numerous accolades but also endeared the Kenyan-born Ugandan to a global fanbase as well.  

At the funeral, the athletics fraternity came together to honour the fallen athlete through various tributes, from moments of silence before the burial to pledging to take care of his family.  

Eldoret Police Department along with other law enforcement agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding Kiplagat’s death.

Suspected killers detained  

Meanwhile, Moiben sub-county Police commander Stephen Okal confirmed that the two suspects arrested included a bodaboda rider in the region.  

Okal said a knife suspected to have been used to stab the athlete was recovered from the suspects.  

The suspected killers appeared in a Kenyan court on Tuesday last week over the murder of Kiplagat.  

They were detained for 21 days by a magistrate’s court in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret to enable Police to continue investigations into the murder.  

The suspects, identified in court documents as David Ekhai Lokere (alias Timo), aged 25, and Peter Ushuru Khalumi, 30, were arrested on New Year's Day.

Kiplagat's body was discovered on a road on the outskirts of Eldoret in the early hours of New Year's eve morning with a stab 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.

Dominic Otucet the President of Uganda Athletics Federation, said the tragic circumstances surrounding Kiplangat’s death had left the athletics fraternity in a sombre state.