Outrage in Court as Agnes Tirop’s Family Protests Adjournment of Murder Case for Fourth Time
Tirop’s father, Vincent Tirop, emotionally appealed for police protection, stating: “We are no longer safe as a family with the accused still at large. We are asking the police to provide us with security.”
Inside the Eldoret High Court, Tirop’s family and human rights activists stand in solemn solidarity, demanding swift justice in the murder trial of slain athlete Agnes Tirop/Image Hubz Media
Chaos erupted at the Eldoret High Court on Thursday when the family of slain international long-distance runner Agnes Tirop, alongside human rights activists, staged a dramatic protest over the repeated adjournment of the murder case against the prime suspect, Ibrahim Rotich.
Presiding Judge Robert Wananda was forced to adjourn the proceedings for the fourth consecutive time after Investigating Officer Corporal Philip Ndeto informed the court that Rotich, the main suspect in Tirop’s 2021 murder, was still at large.
Adding to the courtroom drama, Rotich’s lawyer, Ngingi Mbugua, failed to appear without explanation. Attempts to reach him via phone were unsuccessful, further stalling the case.
In a shocking revelation, the prosecution disclosed that a key homicide officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Police Constable Sanga, who had promised to provide an update on Rotich’s whereabouts, was also absent.
Judge Wananda appeared visibly frustrated, stating, “Now that I have dispensed with your matter, allow me to proceed with other pending court cases and matters slated for today.” However, his plea was drowned out as family members and activists, wearing white t-shirts bearing Tirop’s image, erupted into chants and song, demanding justice.
Court security personnel, including officers from prison and regular police units, were forced to intervene and secure the courtroom as the judge hastily retreated to his chambers. Lawyers, prosecutors, and members of the public also exited the courtroom amid rising tensions.
Earlier, Corporal Ndeto had requested more time to apprehend the suspect, telling the court, “Your Lordship, we ask that you grant us one month to locate where the accused person is hiding. We have been tipped on his whereabouts, but we cannot disclose that information at this point.”
Ndeto explained that their efforts to trace Rotich had been hampered by the suspect switching off all known mobile phones. He reiterated that authorities remained hopeful he would soon be brought to justice.
Rotich, who is charged with the murder of his estranged wife, Agnes Tirop, has denied the charges before the High Court. Court documents indicate that the offence occurred on October 12, 2021, at their rural home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Despite the severity of the charge, Rotich was granted a cash bail of Ksh 400,000 by Justice Wananda after spending two years in Eldoret GK Remand Prison. He was released under conditions that included not leaving Uasin Gishu County and regular check-ins at the Eldoret Central Police Station. However, he failed to report as required and has since disappeared.
In response to Ndeto’s application, Justice Wananda granted a one-month extension, stating: “I will allow an application by the Investigating Officer, Corporal Philip Ndeto, to be given one month to arrest and present the accused in court.” The matter will now be mentioned on July 23, 2025.
Outside the courtroom, anger and grief boiled over. Gender activist and Uasin Gishu nominated MCA, Hon Mercy Jepkirui, criticized the justice system, saying: “We can’t keep coming to court while the prime suspect remains at large. This court has not been firm enough with the relevant authorities to demand that the suspect be produced.”
Tirop’s father, Vincent Tirop, emotionally appealed for police protection, stating: “We are no longer safe as a family with the accused still at large. We are asking the police to provide us with security.”
Members of the athletic community, led by international marathoner Mildred Cherop, echoed the call for urgent action. “Every year we are losing a female athlete to domestic violence. The main suspect in Tirop’s murder continues to pose a threat to other female athletes. He must be arrested,” Cherop said.
Kimutai Kirui, a human rights activist, demanded accountability from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the DCI. “We can’t have the DCI track down a young man in Homa Bay from Nairobi and yet fail to locate a murder suspect with a warrant of arrest against him. The police must produce Ibrahim Rotich, who was ordered not to leave Uasin Gishu County but remains at large, stalling these proceedings.”
The murder of Agnes Tirop, a celebrated Kenyan athlete, continues to shake the nation as her family, friends, and supporters tirelessly push for justice nearly four years after her death.
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