ELDORET, Kenya – There were emotional scenes at the Eldoret High Court on Thursday as the family of slain athlete Agnes Tirop and human rights activists staged a protest over the repeated adjournments of her murder trial.
The protest came after the court postponed the case for the fourth consecutive time, amid reports that the main suspect, Ibrahim Rotich, has been missing for two months.
Lead investigator Corporal Phillip Ndeto told the court that Rotich had gone off the radar and switched off all communication. He requested additional time to trace and arrest him.
“We ask that you grant us one month to locate the accused person. We are following crucial leads,” Ndeto said. “We are hopeful we will bring him back to court to face justice.”
Justice Robert Wananda granted the request and directed the case be mentioned again on July 23. He also issued a second warrant of arrest against Rotich.
But the ruling triggered a dramatic response from Tirop’s relatives and supporters, who burst into protest songs and chants while donning white T-shirts bearing the late athlete’s image.
They demanded swift justice and the immediate re-arrest of Rotich.
“Now that I have dispensed with your matter, allow me to proceed with other pending court cases,” Justice Wananda pleaded, but his calls for order were ignored.
Tirop’s family says the continued absence of the suspect has left them feeling vulnerable, especially after several members, including her father Vincent Tirop and uncle Daniel Borr, testified against Rotich in court.
In a letter addressed to President William Ruto and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, the family called for urgent intervention to track and apprehend the suspect.
“The safety of the family should be taken with the seriousness it deserves,” said lawyer Richard Warigi, who is representing the family. “They are disturbed and urging all relevant security organs to ensure the suspect is brought back to court to face trial.”
Human rights and gender justice activists present at the court supported the family’s demands, saying justice for Tirop is long overdue.
There are reports that Rotich, who had surrendered his passport as part of his bond terms, may have fled to a neighbouring country in an attempt to obtain new travel documents.
His lawyer, Ngige, told the court last month that he had been unable to reach him and had reported him missing at the Eldoret police station.
Rotich had been released on a cash bail of Sh500,000 or a bond of Sh400,000 with two sureties.
His failure to appear has now cast fresh doubt over the pace and security of the high-profile trial.
So far, 10 witnesses have testified, while 14 more are expected to take the stand.
Tirop, 25, was found dead in her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County on October 12, 2021, with multiple stab wounds.
Her murder came just days after she returned from Europe, where she had broken the women’s 10km world record with a time of 30:01.
She was a celebrated long-distance runner, having won bronze medals in the 10,000 metres at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships, and had been widely viewed as one of Kenya’s most promising young athletes.
