In a significant ruling, David Ekai Lokere, aged 25, and Peter Ushuru Khalumi, aged 30, have received a 35-year prison sentence for the tragic murder of Edward Benjamin Kiplagat, a renowned Ugandan athlete celebrated for his prowess in the 3000-meter steeplechase.
The verdict was delivered by Eldoret High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi, who emphasized that the evidence presented, including compelling CCTV footage, firmly implicated both men in the stabbing of Kiplagat on December 31, 2023, at the Kimumu Estate in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County.
During the sentencing, Justice Nyakundi acknowledged that this was the first offence for Lokere and Khalumi. However, he stressed the strength of the prosecution’s case, which clearly demonstrated their involvement in the athlete’s brutal murder. Despite the Kiplagat family’s plea for a more severe life sentence, spearheaded by Kiplagat’s mother, Elizabeth Chemweno, the judge concluded that a 35-year sentence was appropriate given the overall circumstances of the case.
The court has also allowed Lokere and Khalumi a 14-day period to lodge an appeal against the sentence.In the wake of the decision, Vincent Chemweno, Kiplagat’s brother, expressed the family’s relief and satisfaction with the ruling, affirming their belief that justice had been delivered for their cherished loved one.
This verdict brings a degree of closure to the family, who have been mourning Kiplagat’s untimely passing for the past year.As the legal proceedings reach this pivotal moment, the Kiplagat family can begin to find some solace in the legal acknowledgment of their loss. Through the heartache and sorrow, the fight for justice has led to this important chapter in their journey, reminding us all of the fragility of life and the enduring quest for accountability.
