A Rwandan athlete killed in Kenya a week ago has been laid to rest while inquiries into his death continue.

Rubayita Siraj, a 34-year-old professional runner, was found dead on August 17 in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, with preliminary investigations pointing to a possible love triangle.

According to the Rwandan publication The New Times, Siraj was laid to rest on Wednesday at Nyamirambo Cemetery in Rwanda after his body was returned from Kenya.

Family and friends remembered Siraj as "a good athlete for whom they had high expectations."

The deceased had competed in several international marathons. On the day Siraj died, it is reported that he went to say farewell to his girlfriend before leaving the nation the next day for a marathon event in Italy.


He did, however, get into a fight with Duncan Khamala, a 28-year-old athlete and gym teacher currently in police custody as the prime suspect in the killing.

According to authorities, Siraj and Khamala were vying for the same woman that the deceased had gone to meet when he died.

The deceased's body was discovered on the roadside before being transported to Iten County Referral Hospital, where he died from injuries acquired during the struggle.

The defendant was arraigned on Monday, August 21, and investigators received 14 days to keep him pending the outcome of the investigation.