Top Kenyan and Ugandan athletes were among the mourners at the funeral in Kenya on Thursday of Ugandan Olympic distance runner Benjamin Kiplagat.
The Kenyan-born 34-year-old, who specialised in the 3 000m steeplechase, was found dead with a stab wound to his neck near the Rift Valley town of Eldoret on 31 December, and two men are in custody accused of his murder.
Kiplagat's casket was transported in a convoy from Eldoret to his ancestral home of Kamendi, about 60 kilometres away.
Kenya's two-time Olympic marathon champion and former world record holder Eliud Kipchoge, Olympic and world 1 500m champion Faith Kipyegon and former three-time world 3 000m steeplechase champion and world record holder Moses Kiptanui attended the funeral.
Popular athletes Faith Kipyegon , Eliud Kipchoge, Joshua Cheptegei and Ezekiel Kemboi attending the funeral of their fellow athlete the late Benjamin Kiplagat . pic.twitter.com/AisErOjPYM
— Track Spice 🌶️ (@trackspice) January 12, 2024
"This death is very painful," Kiptanui, who helped coach Kiplagat in the early days of his running career, said at the ceremony.
"All of us have come here to mourn a hero -- somebody who gave his life to run and make the two countries known -- especially the country of Uganda."
Top Ugandan athletics officials and runners also paid tribute to Kiplagat, who competed for the country at three Olympic Games and six World Championships.
The late Benjamin Kiplagat was not only an icon around but also in neighbouring Uganda where he ran for.
— Wisley Rotich (@rotichwisley) January 11, 2024
Benjamin was a go-getter. Always jovial. He was a good hearted and selfless person who always wanted the best for everyone.
His death is a big blow to the athletics… pic.twitter.com/58AfFXTAQl
'KEEP LOSING OUR HEROES'
"He broke a record that had stood for 30 years and for that we shall always remember... he did something historical," said Ugandan athletics coach Aggrey Ogol.
He was referring to Kiplagat's feat in 2007 when he shaved more than eight seconds off the Ugandan national 3 000m steeplechase record set in 1977.
Uganda's world 5 000m and 10 000m record holder Joshua Cheptegei urged Kenyan police to strengthen security around athletes who train in the Eldoret area, a renowned high-altitude training hub.
"We are saying enough is enough. We've lost a lot of our colleagues. I think you should have a discussion to see how the law can deal with these issues. We cannot keep losing our heroes."
Kiplagat's death followed the killing in October 2021 of Kenyan distance running star Agnes Tirop who was found stabbed to death at the age of 25 in her home at Iten, near Eldoret.
Her husband Ibrahim Rotich went on trial for her murder in November last year. He has denied the charge against him and was freed on bail just before the trial opened.
Last week, two suspects appeared in court over the killing of Kiplagat and were ordered detained for 21 days to enable police to continue their investigations.
He leaves an expectant wife Viola and a 13-year-old daughter.
Benjamin Kiplagat Chemweno retired recently having had impressive athletics career representing his other home and our neighbors the Republic of Uganda. In his retirement he had ventured into business and farming and combined it with his passion to mentor and inspire upcoming… pic.twitter.com/N1N19B47dd
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) January 11, 2024