The Director of Public Prosecutions has applied to proceed with the murder case of slain athlete Agnes Tirop despite the absence of the prime suspect, Ibrahim Rotich, who has been missing since early this year.
The DPP, through prosecutors in Eldoret Lucas Tanui and Clea Mureithi, told High Court Judge Robert Wananda that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is still making efforts to trace Rotich.
“Since there has been no progress in efforts to bring back the suspect, we are seeking time to file an application to proceed with the case in his absence,” said Tanui.
He added that the hearing can continue even as efforts to arrest Rotich continue.
The prosecution argued that the law allows the case to proceed without the suspect present.
Lawyer Warigi, representing the family of the deceased, said they supported the matter proceeding in Rotich’s absence.
Justice Wananda directed the Office of the DPP to file a formal application within 14 days so that the court can give further directions.
“I note that the suspect has been missing since early this year, and no progress has been made to trace him. The ODPP can file the application so that the court is in a position to give further directions,” said the judge.
A senior DCI officer, appearing virtually, told the court that efforts to trace and arrest Rotich are ongoing.
Justice Wananda scheduled the next mention of the case for October 15, 2025, and extended the warrant of arrest issued against Rotich.
The judge also directed that Rotich’s lawyer be served with the application by the ODPP.
The deceased athlete’s parents, Vincent and Dinah Tirop, along with other family members, have attended all hearings and mention dates.
They were present in court as the DPP filed the new application to proceed with the case.
The case has now been adjourned for the sixth time in Rotich’s absence.
In previous hearings, Justice Wananda reprimanded 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.
Rotich was granted bail by the same judge two years ago, with conditions including a ban from entering Iten town in Elgeyo Marakwet County, where the murder occurred, and a requirement to remain within Uasin Gishu County, the court’s jurisdiction.
He was also required to report to DCI offices in Eldoret every Monday.
Rotich went missing in February.
One of the investigating officers, Corporal Philip Ndeta of the DCI Homicide Unit, told the court that investigations are ongoing and that they have leads that could help secure Rotich’s arrest.
Agnes Tirop was found dead in her Iten home, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on October 13, 2021.
A postmortem examination conducted at Iten County Referral Hospital revealed that she had suffered stab wounds to the neck and blunt force injuries to the head.
