An arrest warrant has been issued for Ibrahim Rotich, husband of murdered athlete Agnes Tirop, after his repeated failure to appear in court. Tirop was a prominent figure in athletics, known for her numerous accolades, and her murder has raised alarm about athlete safety in Kenya. The court demands Rotich’s appearance by April 8.
The government of Kenya has issued an arrest warrant for Ibrahim Rotich, the husband of late track star Agnes Tirop, who is suspected of her murder. This warrant follows Rotich’s absence from court for the second time, as he was supposed to appear in Eldoret court. Tirop, a rising star in athletics, was tragically murdered at the age of 25 in October 2021, leading to widespread shock in the athletic community. Prosecuting lawyer Leonard Okaka confirmed that Rotich remains untraceable after failing to appear in court previously as well.
Agnes Tirop was a celebrated athlete, known for her accomplishments including winning double world 10,000m bronze medals and a world cross-country championship. Her remarkable performance included finishing fourth in the 5,000m at the Tokyo Olympics and breaking the world women-only record in the 10km road race just one month before her untimely death. Rotich has denied the charges against him, and Tirop’s body was discovered in their home in Iten, a well-known athletics training location in western Kenya.
Judge Robert Wananda of the Eldoret High Court issued the arrest warrant, mandating that Rotich be brought to court by April 8. After being held in custody for two years, he was released on bail in November 2023 with strict conditions prohibiting him from leaving his home county of Uasin Gishu. The prosecutor has called for the forfeiture of Rotich’s cash bond amounting to 400,000 shillings ($3,000) due to his non-compliance.
Calls have also been made by another legal representative for police to clarify whether Rotich failed to adhere to his weekly check-in requirements at the local police station. The violent deaths of female athletes in Kenya have raised alarms; significant events include the murder of Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei by her boyfriend last year, marking a distressing pattern in recent years.
In summary, the Kenyan authorities are actively pursuing Ibrahim Rotich, the husband of murdered athlete Agnes Tirop, after he failed to appear in court. Tirop, a distinguished sports figure, was tragically killed in 2021, leading to rising concerns over the safety of female athletes in the region. The court is currently seeking to ensure accountability in this case as similar violent incidents continue to emerge.
Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk
