Benjamin Kiplagat: Chilling CCTV Footage Shows Slain Athlete's Last Moments Before Gruesome Death

• The chilling CCTV footage captured Benjamin Kiplagat's desperate attempt to escape his assailants, ultimately leading to a fatal crash into a ditch
• In the video, after Kiplagat's vehicle crashed in a ditch, the assailants followed sequentially to the murder scene
• The two suspects again took turns leaving the scene, which, according to the footage, did not last a minute

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Uasin Gishu - CCTV footage has shown how the Kenyan-born Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat was cornered by his assailants before his eventual murder in the outskirts of Eldoret town.

Kiplagat met a tragic end on the silent night of Sunday in Kimumu Estate. He was brutally murdered, leaving his lifeless body abandoned by the roadside, only discovered hours later on the morning of December 31.

What does the CCTV clip show?

The chilling CCTV footage captured Benjamin's desperate attempt to escape his assailants, ultimately leading to a fatal crash into a ditch.

The suspected murderers made their appearances sequentially in the video. The first suspect, dressed in a suit and tie, took a moment to brief a colleague who seemingly awaited a signal before heading to the impending crime scene.

Following the alert, the first individual hurried to the location, trailed by another man sporting a motorist reflector and a heavy jacket.

Following what could be described as a done deal, the boda boda operator hastily retreated, with his colleague following closely a few moments later.

According to the police statement, recent security concerns have emerged at Kimumu Estate.

The report also noted that the locality is predominantly inhabited by athletes, a factor presumed to attract criminals targeting them.

Suspects in murder of Benjamin Kiplagat arrested

The gathered footage played a crucial role in enabling the police to track down and apprehend the suspects.

According to Moiben sub-county commander Stephen Okal, other technical clues also aided in arresting the suspects involved in the heinous act.

One of the suspects was nabbed within Uasin Gishu, while the other one had flown to Trans Nzoia county.

What happened to Kiplagat?

Kiplagat was found dead in the vehicle with deep knife cuts on the neck.

According to the footage, he was murdered between 01:14:18 a.m. and 01:14:59 a.m. on Sunday, December 31.

At his death, the world-celebrated athlete represented Uganda in the men's 3,000 steeplechase. He had also penned records for Kenya leaving for Uganda.

"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," said World Athletics.