Justice Delayed Again as Agnes Tirop's Case is Postponed for the Fifth Time

The trial for the murder of Agnes Jebet Tirop has been postponed for the fifth time, drawing sharp criticism from presiding Judge Robert Wanada.

Judge Wanada reprimanded officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) homicide unit for their failure to locate and apprehend the suspect, Ibrahim Rotich.

Expressing frustration over the slow progress of the investigation, Judge Wanada questioned the DCI's efforts to track down Rotich and bring him to court. The judge emphasised the need for a swift resolution to the case.

Rotich was granted Ksh. 500,000 cash bail by Judge Wanada two years ago, with several conditions attached. These included a ban on entering Iten town, Elgeyo Marakwet County, where Agnes Tirop was murdered.

He was also restricted from leaving Uasin Gishu County and required to report weekly to the Eldoret Central Police Station and DCI offices. However, Rotich has remained at large and has not appeared in court since February 27, 2025.

Agnes Tirop, a renowned international runner, was found dead in her Iten home on October 13, 2021. A postmortem examination revealed she had suffered stab wounds to the neck and blunt force trauma to the head.

Agnes Tirop was born in October 1995 in Kenya, and in no time, she was already making waves and rising through the ranks, showcasing an extraordinary gift that captivated fans.

At just 19, Agnes Tirop became the second-youngest winner of the senior women's title at the 2015 World Cross Country Championships.

She went on to claim two bronze medals in the 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in 2017 and 2019, consistently proving her place on the global stage.

In September 2021, just a month before her tragic passing, Agnes Tirop shattered the women's-only 10km road race world record, a monumental achievement that cemented her status as a force to be reckoned with.

Agnes Tirop had also recently competed at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, finishing an admirable fourth in the 5000m.

However, on October 13, 2021, Agnes Tirop, at the tender age of 25, was found dead in her home in Iten, Kenya, a victim of gender-based violence. Her untimely death sent ripples of grief and outrage across the globe, highlighting the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.

However, Agnes Tirop remains a star, not just for her incredible talent, but for the profound impact her life and death continue to have on the pursuit of justice and safety for all.