Police in Eldoret have arrested two prime suspects linked to the murder of an athlete whose body was found in a car in the town.

Moiben sub-county police commander Stephen Okal confirmed that the two suspects arrested included a boda boda rider in the region.

He said a knife suspected to have been used to stab the athlete was recovered from the suspects.

 37-year-old Edward Kiplangat alias Benjamin from Elgeyo Marakwet County was found murdered on Sunday.

He was a long-distance runner specializing in the 3000m steeplechase.

"We have the two suspects in custody and they have been positively identified," said Okal.

He said the two were wanted criminals who had been tormenting residents of the region for long.

Okal said the motive of the killing appeared to be a criminal incident and that a mobile phone and money were stolen from the athlete.

"We have cast our net wide as we go on with investigations to arrest anyone else involved", said Okal.

Kiplagat has been competing for Uganda where he holds the 3,000m steeplechase title.

Okal said the body of the athlete was found with a deep knife cut on the neck.