Benjamin Kiplagat (Photo courtesy Malay Mail)

Benjamin Kiplagat, the Kenyan born Ugandan athlete, was found dead in his car in Eldoret in the Rift Valley, on Friday, a Kenyan police statement has announced.

The Uganda’s Daily Monitor and other media outlets in Kenya report that Kiplagat had been stabbed to death.

Benjamin Kiplagat, 34, represented Uganda internationally in the 3,000-metre steeplechase, in there Olympic Games and several World Championships.

Eldoret is internationally known for being home to many athletes who undergo training in the high-altitude region.

Knife wound found on Kiplagat’s body

“An investigation has been launched and officers are on the ground pursuing leads,” local police commander Stephen Okal told reporters in Eldoret on Sunday. He said Kiplagat’s body had a deep knife wound to his neck.

In a statement released on X, World Athletics said: “World Athletics is shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Benjamin Kiplagat.”

“We send our deepest condolences to his friends, family, teammates and fellow athletes. Our thoughts are with them all at this difficult time.”

Just in – two arrests have been made and the suspects will been arraigned in court tomorrow.