Slain Marathon Champion’s Widow Collapses in Court After Bail Denial
“I decline to grant all of you bond. While every suspect facing a murder charge has a right to bail, you must also understand that this right is not absolute in the presence of compelling reasons, including concerns for your security,” ruled Justice Nyakundi.
Rose Chepkemboi Rotich, widow of slain former international marathon champion Samson Kandie, alongside her co-accused, Jamlick Kiptoon Morogit and Vincent Ngososei Kiprono, at the Eldoret High Court facing charges related to his brutal murder.
The widow of former marathon champion Samson Kandie, who is among three individuals charged with his brutal murder, collapsed in the dock at the Eldoret High Court after being denied bail.
Drama unfolded in the packed courtroom as Rose Chepkemboi Rotich stared at Justice Reuben Nyakundi while he delivered his ruling on their bail application. Moments later, she lost consciousness, falling backward and fainting.
The unexpected turn of events prompted Justice Nyakundi to momentarily halt all scheduled criminal judgments and sentencing proceedings, calling for a brief recess.
Court orderlies, caught off guard, quickly responded, struggling to lift the murder suspect from the floor before rushing her to the holding cells within the High Court. Meanwhile, her co-accused and other inmates looked on in shock as the incident unfolded.
Rotich, a mother of four, is the prime suspect in the murder of her estranged husband, alongside her co-accused, Jamlick Morogit and Vincent Ngososei Kiprono. Their hopes for release were dashed after the judge rejected their bail application, keeping them in remand, where they have been held since their arrest by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers in October last year.
In his ruling, Justice Nyakundi cited concerns over potential witness interference, the suspects’ safety if released, and the possibility of them failing to appear in court.
“I decline to grant all of you bond. While every suspect facing a murder charge has a right to bail, you must also understand that this right is not absolute in the presence of compelling reasons, including concerns for your security,” ruled Justice Nyakundi.
The late Samson Kandie, a 53-year-old former international marathoner, was found brutally murdered at his home in Elgon View Estate on the outskirts of Eldoret City. His body was discovered severely beaten and tied up outside his house before he was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on October 4, 2024.
Kandie was widely celebrated for his achievements in global marathon races, notably setting his personal best of 2:08:03 at the 1999 Berlin Marathon.
Following his murder, police detectives launched swift investigations, leading to the arrest of the three suspects, including the widow, from various hideouts within Eldoret City after they were implicated in the crime.
Justice Nyakundi has scheduled the case for pre-trial on March 25.
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