Olympics champion Conseslus Kipruto faces defilement charges in Kapsabet

Olympic 3,000 metres steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto was on Monday charged with defiling a minor.

He appeared before Principal Magistrate David Ocharo at the Kapsabet Law Courts where he denied the charge and was released on a Sh200,000 bond and a surety of a similar amount.

The case will be mentioned on May 20, 2021.

A sizeable crowd had gathered outside the court waving placards and chanting in protest, while demanding for “justice” for the minor.

Police in Nandi North had on October 30 last month failed to arrest Kipruto, who is also the World 3,000m steeplechase champion after the parents of the minor reported the case at Mosoriot Police Post.

The protesters had arrived as early as 8.30am and were kept waiting until 11am when the celebrated runner arrived in a tinted white SUV, in black shades and red hooded jumper. He was clad in faded blue jeans and brown loafers. It was almost impossible to notice the athlete.

Principal Magistrate Ocharo said that he was unwell and needed to go to the hospital before reading the charges and adjourning the session until May next year.

Kipruto was presented by lawyer Joshua Lagat.

Nation Sport understands that Nandi County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding had ordered for the arrest of Kipruto after a public outcry over the sluggishness of officers in the area to bring him to book over the alleged incident.