Agnes Tirop’s murder case suffers major setback as key suspect goes missing

Ibrahim Rotich, suspected of killing Agnes Rotich (Inset), has gone missing.

Agnes Tirop’s murder case suffers major setback as key suspect goes missing

Joel Omotto 09:45 - 28.02.2025

The family of slain former World Cross-Country champion Agnes Tirop will have to wait a little longer for justice as the main suspect in her murder has gone missing.

Ibrahim Rotich, the main suspect in the murder of former world cross-country champion Agnes Tirop, has gone missing.

Rotich was supposed to be in court on Wednesday for the hearing of his case, in which he has been charged with killing the athlete, but he was a no show with his lawyer saying he could not trace him as his mobile phones were switched off and he had relocated from his place of residence.

Eldoret High Court Presiding Judge Robert had set the whole day for the trial but when the matter came up for hearing, his lawyer Ngigi Mbugua shocked the court when he said he could not trace the suspect, leading to the adjournment of the case until March 18, 2025.

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It was a blow to the family of Tirop which is seeking justice for the murder of their kin as it appears like the matter will take longer than expected, owing to the suspect’s disappearance.

Rotich had been granted bail, being a KSh400,000 bond with two similar sureties or a cash bail of KSh500,000 nearly two years ago following his second bond application, after his lawyer convinced the court that he would not be a flight risk despite the objections of the prosecution.

He now risks having his bail cancelled given his behaviour that has led to the adjournment of his murder case.

Tirop was found murdered at her house in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County on October 13, 2021 with multiple stab wounds in the neck and abdomen.

Authorities believe her death was a result of a domestic altercation, as they also found her car windows shattered, while Rotich, who was her husband at the time, disappeared, leading to a search by police who nabbed him near Mombasa as he attempted to escape.

Rotich was questioned over Tirop’s death before being remanded for two years and he was granted bail in November 2023.

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