The Eldoret High Court on Tuesday sentenced two men to 35 years in prison each for the murder of Kenyan-born Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat.
Justice Reuben Nyakundi cited both scientific and circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage, that linked Peter Ushuru, 30, and David Ekai, 25, to Kiplagat’s murder on December 31, 2023.
Justice Nyakundi noted that the crime was premeditated and condemned the accused for showing no remorse.
“Your actions were cruel to a defenseless person whom you have cut short his life, contrary to God’s plan where God intended man to live for a minimum of 70 years. This court has sentenced two of you to serve a jail term of 35 years,” he ruled.
The judge described the remorse shown by the accused as “cosmetic,” remarking, “The kind of remorsefulness you have expressed in this court cannot add up, you had an intention to take the life of the young athlete. Remorse without seeking true reconciliation is not remorse after reducing the number of years that a person was to live as was planned by God in the book of Psalm 91.”
Kiplagat’s family had requested a life sentence, but his brother Vincent Chemweno expressed gratitude for the court’s decision, saying, “We are happy justice has been served even though we had requested the court to sentence the accused to life. As a family, we are satisfied since we have been served justice within the shortest time.”
Another brother, David Chemweno, praised the justice system, adding, “We have been served justice due to cordial working relationships between DCI, ODPP, and other arms of the government. Though we had wanted the accused to be jailed for life, we are happy with the sentence pronounced by Justice Nyakundi.” Mother of slain athlete stuns court to silence in testimony
Justice Nyakundi acknowledged the family’s loss, stating, “No amount of jail term can bring back the life of your beloved. I pray that you will be reconciled by God to come to terms with what has happened.”
On Monday, Kiplagat’s 69-year-old mother, Elizabeth Chemweno, broke down in court, recounting her son’s struggles to pursue athletics despite their poverty. She described the killing as an “evil” act, and noted, “My son had Sh8,000 and an expensive mobile phone, the killers did not take any of the property from my son, their mission was to painfully finish him.”
CCTV footage showed the accused following Kiplagat from Eldoret town to his home in Kimumu estate, where they attacked him. The judge cited “scientific evidence that was produced before my court during the trial” which placed the two men at the scene.
Defence lawyers requested leniency, suggesting a 20-year sentence, but Justice Nyakundi dismissed the plea, underscoring the brutality of the crime.
