Police in Uasin Gishu have launched investigations into the death of an athlete in Eldoret town.
The body of the athlete, Edward Kiplagat alias Benjamin, was discovered in a car in Kimumu on Sunday morning.
Police reports indicate that the athlete's body was discovered in Texas Estate off the Eldoret-Iten road.
Moiben Sub-County police commander Stephen Okal suspects that the 37-year-old Kiplagat could have been murdered by unknown assailants on Saturday night or in the wee hours on Sunday.
"Residents in the neighbourhood discovered the body in a car belonging to the deceased's brother," Okal said.
The late Kiplagat has been taking part in local and international races for over 15 years.
The athlete hails from Marakwet, Elgeyo Marakwet county, and lived in Eldoret town, the police said in a report.
Okal said the athlete's death was reported at around 5 am on Sunday but no suspect had been arrested in connection with the incident.
He revealed that police are following crucial leads into the circumstances surrounding the death of Kiplagat.
"We have moved the body to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary awaiting autopsy," Okal said.
"Officers investigating the matter are following crucial leads. We hope to identify key suspects as we probe the reason why the athlete was killed," he added.
The police boss said a number of people were helping the police with information that could unravel the circumstances under which the athlete died.
He assured the athlete's family and the sport's enthusiasts that the police were investigating the murder.
The police are also tracing the last moments of the slain athlete whose body was discovered near the gate of a residential house.
Athletes who trained with Kiplagat described him as a polite man who loved the sport and supported upcoming athletes.
A number of athletes have died under unclear circumstances in the region known for producing world champions, in recent years.
Agnes Tirop, a former world bronze medallist was found dead in her Iten house in October 2021. The case is in court.
The same year, another international athlete, Hosea Mwok Macharinyang was found dead in his home in Murkwijit, West Pokot.
In April 2022, a Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was found killed in a residential house in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet county. An Ethiopian national was suspected of killing the athlete in what the police attributed to a love triangle.
