Drama in court after judge adjourns Tirop murder case as suspect jumps bail

Drama erupted at the High Court in Eldoret when family members of slain international athlete Agnes Tirop, alongside other athletes and human rights defenders, protested the adjournment of the murder case against prime suspect Ibrahim Rotich following his disappearance.

Rotich, who is accused of killing Tirop in October 2021, has missed four consecutive court sessions after he was granted bail eight months ago.

Before the chaos, Justice Robert Wananda, who is presiding over the case, had directed the adjournment of the proceedings after investigating officer Philip Ndeto noted that detectives were yet to apprehend Rotich.

Corporal Ndeto, who appeared virtually, requested at least a month to execute the arrest warrant against Rotich, who is still at large. He claimed that detectives were unable to trace the exact location where the accused person was hiding because he had switched off all his mobile phones.

Rotich’s lawyer, Ngigi Mbugua, also failed to appear in court without any explanation, and efforts to reach him via phone were futile.

The court was further informed that Corporal Johnstone Sanga, who is also an investigating officer in the case and who was tasked with tracing Rotich, was absent from court.

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With the court unable to proceed, Justice Wananda directed that the matter be slated for mention on July 23 and ordered the police to execute the arrest warrant against the accused.

“Now that this matter cannot continue today, allow me to proceed with other pending matters slated for today,” stated Justice Wananda.

However, agitated family members, activists, and athletes who had turned up in numbers stayed put. One of the family members began addressing the judge, complaining about the delay of the case.

The visibly charged crowd that donned t-shirts bearing messages of justice for the slain athlete erupted into chants and songs within the courtroom.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. We are questioning why the court released the accused person on cash bail, knowing well that he was a flight risk and had attempted to run into hiding after our daughter’s murder incident,” shouted Jeremiah Sawe, who is late Tirop’s uncle.

Court security officers and prison officers were forced to intervene and secure the courtroom as the judge hastily retreated to his chambers. Prosecutors, lawyers, and members of the public also exited the courtroom amid rising tension.

Outside the court, another group of activists and family members demanded the immediate arrest of Rotich while faulting the judiciary and the police for what she termed as laxity.

“Every time we come here hoping that we will get justice for Tirop, we are told that the accused person is still at large. We want Rotich arrested so that he can face the law,” said Uasin Gishu nominated MCA Mercy Jepkirui, who is also a gender activist.

Marathoner Mildred Cherop decried rising cases of femicide and Gender Based Violence (GBV) among athletes, stating that the prime suspect is a threat to other innocent athletes while on the loose.

Late Tirop’s father, Vincent Tirop, emotionally called for police protection, noting that their safety had been compromised since the accused person jumped bail.