The murder trial of celebrated Kenyan athlete Agnes Tirop has stalled for the fourth time after the prime suspect, Ibrahim Rotich, failed to appear before the Eldoret High Court on Tuesday. Justice Robert Wananda, who was scheduled to commence the hearing, was forced to postpone the proceedings yet again due to Rotich’s absence.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), tasked with overseeing the case, told the court they had been unable to trace Rotich’s whereabouts. They requested a further two weeks to locate and produce the suspect in court. Justice Wananda reluctantly granted the request but directed the DCI to expedite the search, emphasizing the importance of concluding the high-profile case that has dragged on for nearly three years.
Rotich, who was arrested in 2021 after Tirop’s lifeless body was discovered with stab wounds at their home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, was released on a cash bail of Ksh.500,000 in 2022. His release followed a successful second bond application by his lawyer, Ngigi Mbugua, who had argued that his client was not a flight risk.
However, his continued absence is now raising questions about the decision to grant him bail and the efficiency of law enforcement in ensuring he stands trial. Family members of the late Tirop, along with fellow athletes and members of the public, have expressed growing frustration over the repeated delays, citing a lack of justice and closure.
Agnes Tirop, a rising star in long-distance running and a World Championships bronze medalist, was found dead on October 12, 2021, in what police initially described as a suspected domestic dispute turned fatal. Her tragic death sent shockwaves through the athletics community and triggered nationwide conversations about gender-based violence.
With public interest in the case still high, pressure is mounting on the DCI and judiciary to ensure justice is served. The case is set to be mentioned again in two weeks, with the court hoping that the suspect will be located and the trial finally set in motion.
