- The judge made the ruling after review of a probation report and other requirements for his release.
- Rotich through his lawyer had pleaded with the court to consider his application to be released on bond.
Image: FILE
The high court in Eldoret has released on bond Ibrahim Rotich—the prime suspect in the murder of athlete Agnes Tirop.
Justice Robert Wananda ruled that Ibrahim would be set free on a bond of Sh400,000 with a similar surety or a cash bail of Sh500,000.
The judge made the ruling after review of a probation report and other requirements for his release.
Rotich through his lawyer Ngige Ngugi had made a second application seeking to be released on bail pending the hearing of the murder case.
Justice Wananda also immediately commenced hearing the murder trial against Rotich.
Rotich had in the past been denied bail on grounds of his safety and the prosecution had insisted that he was also a flight risk.
The judge had two months ago ordered probation officers to prepare another pre-bail report to help the court determine whether the suspect will be released on bond or remand in remand.
Rotich through his lawyer had pleaded with the court to consider his application to be released on bond.
Rotich 41, has been in remand prison since his dramatic arrest sleuths attached to the directorate of criminal investigations department over the killing of his then estranged wife more than two years ago.
The suspect allegedly killed Tirop on October 13, 2021, at Ruralestate on the outskirts of Iten town, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Rotich who pleaded not guilty to the murder charge is represented by lawyer Ngigi Mbugua while lawyer Richard Warigi is representing the family of the slain international runner.
In releasing the suspect Justice Wananda set seven other conditions which Ibrahim must comply with during his freedom.
The conditions include non-interference with witnesses, he should not visit Iten town where the murder occurred and he has also been barred from leaving Uasin Gishu county.
Tirop, who is a former World Cross-Country champion, was killed just a few days after arriving back in the country from a race, and her badly mutilated body was found in the bedroom of her house.
Relatives of both Ibrahim and Agnes were in court for the hearing of the matter.