Agnes Tirop's family demand answers over murder suspect Rotich's whereabouts

The family of slain athlete Agnes Tirop and human rights activists have on Thursday stormed Eldoret High Court in Eldoret, demanding the urgent arrest of key suspect in her murder Ibrahim Rotich.

Led by Agnes’ father Vincent Tirop, the family said the case has been dragging for the last four years without any progress.

"We just need justice for my beloved daughter, she brought fame to this country but no one is now agitating for justice", said mzee Tirop.

Tirop lamented that the key suspect had earlier escaped and was arrested in Changamwe - Mombasa, after which he was locked up in Eldoret until he went missing again under unclear circumstances.

The family called on the government to provide them with security as they fear for their lives since the disappearance of the key suspect in the killing of their daughter.

The human rights activists led by Kimutai Kirui of Centre for Human Rights and Democracy accused the criminal justice system, saying giving Rotich a cash bail of KSh. 500,000 was a leeway to allow him escape.

Kirui noted that the blame clearly lies under the office of ODPP, with the family’s hope for justice now appearing to fade away.

Rotich was first reported to have gone AWOL in February 2025, when he failed to show up in court, and his lawyer Ngigi Mbugua could not establish his whereabouts.

Rotich is suspected to have killed Tirop on October 12, 2021 at a rural estate in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.