Kenya: two athletes arrested after death of Rwandan runner Siragi Rubayita
Rwandan runner Siragi Rubayita has been found dead in Kenya. Kenyan police have two suspects: a couple who are both Kenyan athletes.
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It is a case Kenyan sport could well have done without. Two athletes from the country have been arrested at a training centre in western Kenya, following their alleged involvement in the death of a fellow Rwandan athlete. Local media are reporting a love triangle. Siragi Rubayita, a 34-year-old Rwandan runner, was training in Iten. He was due to take part in a competition in Italy. He then met two Kenyan athletes, a man and a woman, who were a couple.
According to the family's account, relayed by BBC Sport Africa, the Kenyan athlete, whose name has not been released, was allegedly jealous of the relationship between Siragi Rubayita and his girlfriend, who is also an athlete. After being invited to the couple's home, Rubayita was found dead in suspicious circumstances. Police then opened an investigation and believe the main suspects are the couple of athletes. It is therefore a love triangle that appears to have turned deadly. The family says it was "a senseless act of violence when a fellow athlete and his girlfriend invited him to their home on the eve of his departure".
Nasra Bishumba, Siragi Rubayita's sister, spoke to the BBC. She said her brother was due to return to Kigali this Friday, 25 August, before travelling on to Italy. In addition, a post-mortem is to be carried out to establish the circumstances of the Rwandan's death. The Rwandan High Commission in Kenya has meanwhile issued a statement. It said that "a diplomat from the commission is on the ground to follow the case". As an athlete, Rubayita had competed in several races in Africa and Europe. In June 2023, he even finished 13th at the Kigali International Peace Marathon, on home soil.