Court: Agnes Tirop's husband to remain in custody
Ibrahim Rotich (right) at Eldoret High Court in Uasin Gishu County on November 16, 2021.
What you need to know:
- Before her murder, Tirop was part of Team Kenya that took part in the Tokyo Olympics Games in August.
- In September 2021 she broke the record for women’s only road race in Germany, setting a new record of 30 minutes.
Ibrahim Kipkemboi Rotich, the key suspect in the murder of her wife and athlete Agnes Jebet Tirop, will wait until December 15 to know whether he will be released on bond.
The Eldoret High Court on Wednesday suspended the hearing of his bail application after probation officers said they were not ready with the pre -bail report.
Probation officers told the court that due to the nature of the case and number of people to be interviewed to ascertain whether the accused can be released on bond, they will need two more weeks.
Appearing before Justice Reuben Nyakundi, Rotich, 41, through his lawyer, Ngigi Mbugua, implored the court to release him on bail insisting that he was not a flight risk.
The accused pleaded not guilty after the mental assessment report from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital showed that he was fit to stand trial.
Rotich is accused of murdering Tirop on October 12 at Rural estate in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Mr Rotich is accused of murdering Ms Tirop on October 13, 2021 at Rural estate in Iten town within Elgeyo/Marakwet County contrary to section 203 as read with section 204 of the penal code.
The body of the deceased was found in her house in Iten town on October 13 with stab wounds and her ‘husband’ was missing.
Tirop's car, which was parked outside the home, had its windscreen and windows smashed, which detectives said that it was an indication that the cause of death might have emanated from a domestic dispute.
The accused was later arrested in Changamwe in Mombasa County on October 15 by police officers manning the highway as he attempted to flee to a neighboring country.
During preliminary investigations police had indicated that Ms Tirop was a victim of a "heinous crime" and promised "speedy and comprehensive investigations''.
Before her murder, Tirop was part of Team Kenya that took part in the Tokyo Olympics Games in August.
In September 2021 she broke the record for women’s only road race in Germany, setting a new record of 30 minutes.
