An Eldoret court has taken a step in the case of the alleged murder of Kenyan-born Ugandan runner Benjamin Kiplagat.
The Deputy High Court Registrar, Rosemary Onkoba, has directed that the two suspects, David Ekai (25), known as Timo, and Peter Khalumi (30), undergo a mental assessment before entering a plea for the murder charge.
The directive from Onkoba mandates the suspects to be taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) for a mental evaluation, determining their fitness to stand trial.
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Additionally, she ordered the pair to be held at Eldoret GK remand prison until their scheduled appearance before the duty Judge on January 31, 2024.
It is during this appearance that they will face charges related to the murder.
The suspects came under scrutiny after the tragic killing of the Ugandan Olympic athlete on December 31, 2024.
Kiplagat was discovered fatally stabbed in his car at Kimumu estate along Eldoret-Iten highway in Uasin Gishu County.
During the investigation at the crime scene, law enforcement recovered a knife believed to be the murder weapon, and authorities indicated that the incident’s motive seemed to be robbery.
The suspects allegedly stole money and a cell phone from the 34-year-old athlete during this distressing event.