Wheels of Justice grind slowly for Agnes Tirop as trial halted for fifth time

Eldoret presiding judge Robert Wanada has reprimanded police officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) homicide unit for failing to produce the suspected fugitive in court.

Wananda expressed frustrations and anger over the slow pace being taken by DCI officers to track down the suspect and produce him before his court to facilitate the speedy hearing and determination of the murder case.

Ibrahim Rotich was released on a Ksh. 500,000 cash bail by the same judge two years ago after his application to be freed on bail/bond was allowed.

The Judge released Rotich on cash bail with attached conditions among them that he should not set foot in Iten town, Elgeyo Marakwet County, where the murder of the slain athlete took place.

Justice Wananda barred Rotich from leaving Uasin Gishu County, which is the court's jurisdiction, and to report to the DCI offices at Central Police station in Eldoret every Monday.

However, the suspect who is still at large, has never stepped foot in court for the hearing of the murder against him since February 27, 2025.

The slain international runner was found dead in her house in Iten town, Elgeyo Marakwet County on October 13, 2021.

The postmortem examination done by a government pathologist at Iten County Referral hospital mortuary revealed that Tirop had suffered neck stabs and was hit on the head with a blunt object.