Agnes Tirop Murder Case to Proceed Despite Suspect's Absence
Quote from Lawyer on September 18, 2025, 11:25 amThe Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has requested to move forward with the murder case of renowned athlete Agnes Tirop, even though the prime suspect, Ibrahim Rotich, has been missing since February 2025. The application was presented before High Court Judge Robert Wananda in Eldoret, where prosecutors Lucas Tanui and Clea Mureithi informed the court that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) continues its efforts to locate Rotich.
Prosecutor Tanui stated that due to the lack of progress in apprehending Rotich, the DPP seeks to file a formal application to continue the case in his absence. He emphasized that the law permits the trial to proceed without the suspect present, allowing the judicial process to advance while efforts to arrest Rotich persist. The prosecution's request was supported by Lawyer Warigi, representing Tirop’s family, who expressed the family's approval for moving forward with the case.
Judge Wananda directed the DPP to submit a formal application within 14 days to enable the court to issue further directions. He noted that Rotich has been missing since early 2025, with no significant progress in tracing him. The judge also extended the existing warrant of arrest against Rotich and ordered that his lawyer be served with the DPP’s application. The case is scheduled for its next mention on October 15, 2025.
A senior DCI officer, appearing virtually, confirmed that efforts to locate and arrest Rotich are ongoing. Corporal Philip Ndeta of the DCI Homicide Unit added that investigations continue, with leads that may lead to Rotich’s apprehension.
The case has faced multiple delays, marking the sixth adjournment since Rotich’s disappearance. Previously, Judge Wananda criticized the DCI for failing to re-arrest Rotich, who had been released on a Sh500,000 cash bail before absconding. The bond has since been forfeited to the state. When granted bail two years ago, Rotich was prohibited from entering Iten town in Elgeyo Marakwet County, where the murder took place, and was required to remain within Uasin Gishu County, reporting weekly to the DCI offices in Eldoret.
Agnes Tirop’s parents, Vincent and Dinah Tirop, along with other family members, have consistently attended all court hearings and mentions, including the latest session where the DPP filed the application to proceed. Tirop, a celebrated athlete, was found dead in her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on October 13, 2021. A postmortem examination at Iten County Referral Hospital revealed that she succumbed to stab wounds to the neck and blunt force injuries to the head.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has requested to move forward with the murder case of renowned athlete Agnes Tirop, even though the prime suspect, Ibrahim Rotich, has been missing since February 2025. The application was presented before High Court Judge Robert Wananda in Eldoret, where prosecutors Lucas Tanui and Clea Mureithi informed the court that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) continues its efforts to locate Rotich.
Prosecutor Tanui stated that due to the lack of progress in apprehending Rotich, the DPP seeks to file a formal application to continue the case in his absence. He emphasized that the law permits the trial to proceed without the suspect present, allowing the judicial process to advance while efforts to arrest Rotich persist. The prosecution's request was supported by Lawyer Warigi, representing Tirop’s family, who expressed the family's approval for moving forward with the case.
Judge Wananda directed the DPP to submit a formal application within 14 days to enable the court to issue further directions. He noted that Rotich has been missing since early 2025, with no significant progress in tracing him. The judge also extended the existing warrant of arrest against Rotich and ordered that his lawyer be served with the DPP’s application. The case is scheduled for its next mention on October 15, 2025.
A senior DCI officer, appearing virtually, confirmed that efforts to locate and arrest Rotich are ongoing. Corporal Philip Ndeta of the DCI Homicide Unit added that investigations continue, with leads that may lead to Rotich’s apprehension.
The case has faced multiple delays, marking the sixth adjournment since Rotich’s disappearance. Previously, Judge Wananda criticized the DCI for failing to re-arrest Rotich, who had been released on a Sh500,000 cash bail before absconding. The bond has since been forfeited to the state. When granted bail two years ago, Rotich was prohibited from entering Iten town in Elgeyo Marakwet County, where the murder took place, and was required to remain within Uasin Gishu County, reporting weekly to the DCI offices in Eldoret.
Agnes Tirop’s parents, Vincent and Dinah Tirop, along with other family members, have consistently attended all court hearings and mentions, including the latest session where the DPP filed the application to proceed. Tirop, a celebrated athlete, was found dead in her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on October 13, 2021. A postmortem examination at Iten County Referral Hospital revealed that she succumbed to stab wounds to the neck and blunt force injuries to the head.