Former 3,000m steeplechase champion Clement Kemboi has been found dead in Iten town.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Peter Mulinge says Kemboi is suspected to have committed suicide.
He was aged 33 years and Mulinge said investigations indicate that he had previously attempted to commit suicide.
Mulinge explained that investigations also revealed that he sold most of his property and engaged in gambling to redeem himself.
“Reports indicate that he was in deep depression and appeared frustrated after his running career ended,” said Mulinge.
Mulinge said the body of the deceased was found tied to a tree in a farm belonging to St Patrick’s High School.
Mulinge said the right leg of the deceased appeared to have been partly eaten by wild dogs.
In 2015 during the All African Games in Congo Brazzaville, he won a gold in the 3,000m steeplechase.
He is the third athlete to die in a week following the murder of Samson Kandie in Eldoret and the death of the Under 20 champion in 800m Kipyegon Bett.
Mulinge said the deceased’s body was found in a bushy area within the expansive school farm.
“The body was decomposing and it appears he died over a week ago,” said Mulinge.
The diseased lives in Iten but is no longer an active athlete
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