Arrest Warrant Issued for Husband of Murdered Kenyan Athlete Agnes Tirop
Kenya has issued an arrest warrant for Ibrahim Rotich, husband of murdered athlete Agnes Tirop, after he missed court appearances. Tirop, a prominent track star, was killed in October 2021. Legal actions continue as prosecutors seek bond forfeiture and explanations for Rotich’s absences, amidst growing concerns about violence against female athletes in Kenya.
On Tuesday, Kenya issued an arrest warrant for Ibrahim Rotich, the husband of late athlete Agnes Tirop, who is accused of her murder after he failed to appear in court again. Tirop, a rising star in track and field, was tragically stabbed to death at the age of 25 in October 2021, an incident that reverberated through the athletics community.
Ibrahim Rotich, 45, was expected to attend a hearing in Eldoret Court, but prosecuting lawyer Leonard Okaka reported that he was untraceable. This marks the second instance he failed to present himself in court, following a similar absence last month. Tirop, the double world 10,000m bronze medallist and 2015 world cross country champion, had made headlines just weeks before her death by setting a women-only 10km road race record in Germany.
After being charged with murder, Rotich’s initial bail conditions prohibited him from leaving his home region of Uasin Gishu, where Eldoret is located. He was released on bail in November 2023 after spending two years in custody. Following the current warrant issuance, the high court judge Robert Wananda directed law enforcement to bring Rotich to court by April 8.
Prosecutor Okaka has called for a forfeiture of Rotich’s bail bond amounting to 400,000 shillings ($3,000) and requested a police explanation for his absence from a required check-in at the local station. The unfortunate trend of violence against female athletes in Kenya is highlighted by the recent murder of Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei by her boyfriend, marking the third such case since 2021.
The arrest warrant for Ibrahim Rotich emphasizes the ongoing legal actions regarding the murder of Agnes Tirop, a celebrated athlete whose untimely death shocked many. With multiple failures to appear in court and a call for bond forfeiture, the case remains a significant focal point in the disturbing trend of violence against female athletes in Kenya.
Original Source: 24newshd.tv
