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Lokere and Khalumi: We did not Kill Benjamin Kiplagat

Lokere and Khalumi: We did not Kill Benjamin Kiplagat

David Ekhai Lokere alias Timo and Peter Ushuru Khalumi, were on Wednesday arraigned before the Eldoret High Court and charged with the murder of the Ugandan long distance runner, Benjamin Kiplagat.

Lokere and Khalumi appeared before Justice Anuro Wananda who issued a directive that the matter be mentioned on February 15 and set the hearing for March 7 before Justice Reuben Nyakundi.

The Prosecution led by State counsel David Fedha opposed bail for the suspects arguing that they had past criminal records and had no fixed aboard hence they are a flight risk.

Through their Lawyer George Sonkule, the defence team, applied to have the suspects released on bail arguing that they were ready to abide by any conditions set by the court.

The presiding judge, however, directed that the Probation department files a pre-bail report within 14 days to help in the determination of the bail application and ruled that two remain in custody.

The two are accused of stabbing Kiplagat to death on December 31, 2023 at Kimumu area in Eldoret, which they have vehemently denied.

The two suspects David Ekhai Lokere alias Timo and Peter Ushuru Khalumi who have been charged with the murder of Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat. Photo: Courtesy

A blood-stained knife suspected to have been used to stab the athlete was recovered from the suspects and would be used as evidence.

Police also sought time to have the CCTV footage from the crime scene analysed by the cyber-crime unit for the purpose of building a strong case against the accused.

The 34 year-old, Kiplagat, was the 2008 World Junior 3000m steeplechase silver medallist and he also holds the 3,000m Ugandan steeplechase record.

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