The High Court has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to arrest Ibrahim Rotich, the prime suspect in the murder of international athlete Agnes Tirop.
Justice Robert Wananda issued the order after Rotich failed to appear in court for the second time, prompting the issuance of a warrant for his arrest. The judge also allowed more time for DCI officer Johnstone Sanga to ensure the suspect is apprehended and brought before the court without further delay.
In addition, Justice Wananda ruled that the Sh500,000 cash bail previously deposited by Rotich be forfeited to the state. “I order the DCI to ensure the suspect is arrested and brought before this court,” he stated.
Rotich, who was released on bail in November 2024, had been granted a Sh400,000 bond with two sureties or a cash bail of Sh500,000. This followed a second bail application, which the prosecution had strongly opposed, arguing that Rotich posed a flight risk.
Despite assurances from his lawyer, Ngige Mbugua, that Rotich would not abscond, the suspect has since disappeared. A month ago, Mbugua told the court he was unable to reach his client either by phone or in person. He confirmed that a missing person report had been filed at the Eldoret Police Station.
Eldoret OCS James Lenaso, who was summoned to court, testified that Rotich had not reported to the station as required by the court’s bail conditions. “Since I took over as OCS at the station last year, I have never seen him appear before me,” Lenaso said.
State counsel Leonard Okaka, leading the prosecution, insisted that Rotich had jumped bail. “The dates for the hearing were known to his counsel, but there is no clear information about the whereabouts of the suspect,” Okaka said, urging the court to enforce the warrant and seize the bail.
Richard Warigi, the lawyer representing Tirop’s family, called on the court to ensure its orders are upheld, stressing that justice must be served.
Rotich first failed to appear in court on February 27, 2025. So far, 10 witnesses have testified, with 14 more scheduled to take the stand.
Rotich, who has denied murdering his estranged wife, is accused of killing Tirop on October 12, 2021, at her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County. The athlete was found with multiple stab wounds just days after returning from Germany, where she had broken the women’s 10-kilometre world record with a time of 30:01.
Tirop was a celebrated long-distance runner who had also won bronze medals in the 10,000-metre race at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.
Her family, including her father Vincent Tirop, attended the court proceedings and expressed concern that Rotich’s disappearance could delay or deny justice. They reiterated their plea for the suspect to be brought back to court and held accountable for the death of their daughter.
