Eldoret athlete’s murder suspects to be held for 21 days

Two prime suspects in murder of a slain international athlete will remain in police custody for 21 days to enable investigating officers complete their probe into the incident, the Eldoret court ruled yesterday.

Principal Magistrate Kesse Cherono directed that the suspects, Peter Khaluma and David Lokere be remanded in custody at the Central Police station pending conclusion of investigations into the killing of Edward Kiplagat.

This was after the police, through a miscellaneous application filed in court under a certificate of urgency, sought to be given more time to hold the suspects in custody pending completion of investigations.

The body of the athlete was discovered on Sunday morning in his vehicle in the Kimumu area along the Eldoret-Iten highway.

He had stab wounds on the chest and a deep cut on the neck.

The Investigating officer, Police Constable Mwaniki Inyasio attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Moiben Sub

County; Uasin Gishu County said they are yet to record statements from key prosecution witnesses.

“Your honor, we pray that you allow us to hold the two suspects in custody at Eldoret Central Police Station for 21 days pending conclusions of investigation into the murder incident,” said Inyasio.

He further told the court that the suspects were a flight risk in the event they are freed on bond since they were arrested in different locations in connection with the murder of the runner.

The investigating officer also said that the recovered blood stained knife that is believed to have been used in the killing was yet to be sent to the ballistic expert for analysis in Nairobi’s CID headquarters.

“Your honor, autopsy on the body of the deceased is yet to be conducted and also CCTV footage of the scene in Kimumu area on the outskirts of Eldoret town is yet to be retrieved and forwarded to the imaging department, “added Inyasio in his application.

But the suspects through their lawyer George Songula opposed the application by the police to continue holding them in custody for more days arguing that it was not merited.

The lawyer argued that there was nothing more the police required from the suspects warranting their detention in custody noting that his clients have been subjected to assault by the arresting officers with the aim of forcing them to confess to murder charges.

“Your honor, the arresting police officers retrieved a mobile phone of the first suspect and withdrew Sh28,000 and also withdrew Sh8,000 from the mobile phone of the second suspects before returning the same to them this morning ahead of their arraignment in court,” said
Songula.

The first suspect was arrested in Langas estate in the outskirt of Eldoret town while the second suspect, a boda boda rider, was seizedin his hide-out in Kitale town while preparing to flee to the neighboring country.

The runner has represented Uganda in various international races including the 2010 Commonwealth games in Delhi, India where he finished fourth where he missed the podium narrowly.

He also took part in the 2011 World championship Daegu, South Korea where he finished 10th and 2012 Olympic Games in London, United Kingdom where he reached semi-finals.

The magistrate directed that the case be mentioned on January 24 to confirm whether the police have completed their investigations into the murder incident.