Arrest Rotich, Ruto asked by the Tirops
On Tuesday, the suspect failed to appear in court for the second time
4mon agoBY MATHEWS NDANYIRift-valley
Murder suspect Ibrahim Rotich who went missing after being freed on bail
/MATHEWS NDANYI
The High Court in Eldoret has, for the fifth time, been forced to adjourn the murder case of slain athlete Agnes Tirop due to the absence of the prime suspect, Ibrahim Rotich.
Rotich went missing three months ago.
Tirop 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 she had suffered neck stabs and was hit on the head with a blunt object.
Justice Robert Wananda, who is hearing the case, on Tuesday reprimanded the DCI for failing to re-arrest the suspect, who was released on a Sh500,000 bail in November 2023, before he absconded.
The bond has since been forfeited to the state.
Justice Wananda expressed frustration and anger over the slow pace being taken by the DCI in searching and producing Rotich in court.
“I have adjourned the proceeding of this case for four times on account of officers from DCI headquarters requesting more time to produce the suspect,” the judge said.
Rotich was admitted to bail by the same judge after his application to be freed on bail or bond was allowed.
The judge released Rotich on bail on conditions he should not set foot in Iten town, Elgeyo Marakwet county, where the murder occurred.
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. Rotich went missing in February, stalling the hearing of the case.
His lawyer, Mbugua Ngigi, has insisted he does not know where the accused is.
The victim’s family is represented by Eldoret based lawyers Richard Warigi and Jackline Njiru.
One of the investigating officers Philip Ndeta, who appeared before the court virtually, said it was just a matter of time before the suspect is re-arrested.
He said a team investigating the disappearance is closing in on the suspect’s hideout.
Corporal Ndeto, who is attached to the DCI headquarters homicide unit, told Justice Wananda they have crucial clues that will ensure Rotich is arrested.
He asked the court to grant them two more weeks to enable them conduct operations in the said areas where the suspect has allegedly taken refuge to evade arrest.
“We are working to ensure he is brought back to court,” he said. Police believe the suspect is still in the country.
