The long-delayed murder trial of slain Kenyan athlete Agnes Tirop has suffered yet another setback after the prime suspect, Ibrahim Rotich, failed to appear before the Eldoret High Court for the fourth time.
Justice Robert Wananda, who was set to commence the hearing on Wednesday morning, ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to intensify efforts to locate and produce Rotich in court. The DCI team requested a two-week extension to continue their search.
Rotich, who is accused of killing Tirop on October 12, 2021, at their rural home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, had been released on a cash bail of Ksh.500,000 in 2023 after a successful second bond application. At the time, his lawyer Ngigi Mbugua had argued that his client was not a flight risk.
However, Rotich’s continued absence has raised concerns about the handling of the high-profile case, which has attracted national and international attention. The court’s latest directive puts pressure on the DCI to swiftly produce the suspect and allow the trial to proceed without further delay.
Written By Rodney Mbua
