Emotional protests erupt in Eldoret court as the main suspect in athlete Agnes Tirop’s murder case remains missing.
The High Court in Eldoret was thrown into chaos on Thursday after yet another adjournment in the high-profile murder case of Kenyan athletics star Agnes Tirop.
The courtroom erupted in emotional protests as frustrations boiled over due to the continued absence of the prime suspect, Tirop’s estranged husband, Ibrahim Rotich.
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Rotich, who was charged with the brutal murder of the celebrated long-distance runner in October 2021, has been missing since February after skipping multiple court appearances.
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A warrant for his arrest was issued in March, but efforts to re-arrest him have been unsuccessful, with police citing difficulties in tracking his whereabouts.
“We have leads, but we cannot disclose them publicly,” said Investigating Officer Corporal Philip Ndeto during Thursday’s hearing as per Nation.
“The suspect switched off his phone and efforts to trace him have been hampered.”
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Courtroom Protests Disrupt Proceedings
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The judge’s decision to adjourn the hearing for the fourth time incited anger among Tirop’s family and dozens of human rights activists in attendance.
The group transformed the courtroom into a protest ground, chanting slogans and holding placards bearing the athlete’s image. Despite Judge Robert Wananda’s repeated attempts to restore order, the disruption forced a complete halt to proceedings for the day.
“We are tired of waiting. This is injustice,” shouted one protestor.
Kimutai Kirui from the Centre Against Torture, who led the protest, was particularly vocal in his criticism of the judiciary.
“The court is corrupt. Why did you release him, yet you were warned?” he demanded.
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Suspect Freed Despite Warnings
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Justice Wananda, while granting a further one-month extension to locate Rotich, expressed hope that the suspect would be apprehended by the next court date, now set for July 23.
The judge reminded the court that Rotich had initially cooperated with investigators and had been denied bail four times before it was ultimately granted.
Rotich was released on a KSh 400,000 bond with an additional KSh 500,000 surety in cash. His bail conditions confined him to his home in Elgeyo Marakwet County and barred him from contacting witnesses or leaving the township of Iten.
However, authorities now confirm that he has since violated those conditions and disappeared.
Athletics Community Still in Mourning
Agnes Tirop’s murder shocked not just Kenya but the global athletics community.
The 25-year-old had recently competed in the 5,000m event at the Tokyo Olympics, where she finished fourth. Her decorated career also included two World Championship bronze medals and a gold medal at the 2015 World Cross Country Championships.
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She was found dead at her home in Iten on October 13, 2021, with multiple stab wounds. Rotich, arrested shortly afterward, denied the allegations and was held for several months as investigations proceeded.
Despite prosecutors labeling him a flight risk and raising concerns for his safety, the court ultimately found no compelling reason to continue holding him.