Nairobi News

An Eldoret court has okayed the temporary release of Ibrahim Rotich who is battling murder charges in relation to the death of his wife Agnes Tirop.

Ms Tirop was until her death a renowned international athlete.

Mr Rotich was on November 15, 2023, released on Sh500,000 cash bail with an alternative bond of Sh400,000 with a surety of a similar amount by Eldoret High Court.

Justice Robert Wananda Anuro directed the accused be freed on bond after a probation report favoured him.

Mr Rotich is accused of killing his estranged wife, a former World Cross- country champion in their their Iten house on October 13, 2021, following a domestic squabble that ensued on the fateful night.

When he first appeared in court to take a plea, he denied the charge before Justice Reuben Nyakundi.

Justice Wananda observed that there were no compelling reasons to continue holding the accused in prison remand since the circumstances that had compelled the court to deny him freedom had changed.

“For the last two years the accused has been detained in prison remand in connection with the murder of his wife, this has been enough period to ascertain his character and the environment outside the prison if released. The environment on the ground has changed,” ruled Justice Anuro as he released Mr Rotich.

Justice Anuro issued several stringent measures which the accused should adhere to following his release on bond.

The court warned that in the event the accused fails to comply with pre-requisites, his bond will be revoked.

The conditions include reporting to the Eldoret Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) every Monday.

He was also warned against visiting or engaging the deceased family in a form of conversation without the consent of the court.

He has been asked not to make contact with any of the prosecution witnesses.

The court also directed him not to visit his house in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, which is still being treated as a crime scene.

He has also been barred from travelling out of his home county of Uasin Gishu unless permitted by authorities.

“You should not make any contacts or meddle with the state witnesses and in the event, you are found to have gone against any of the conditions, your bond will be cancelled with immediate effect,” warned Justice Anuro

Justice Anuro further ordered Mr Rotich to surrender his passport to the court or the DCI for safe custody until the hearing and determination of the murder case that is facing him.

The prosecution had opposed his release on bond arguing that he was likely to influence, threaten or interfere with the witnesses.

State counsel Anthony Fedha, had initially told the court that Mr Rotich had threatened to commit suicide before his arrest.

Prosecution through Mr Fedha had brought to the attention of the court that the accused had no permanent residence.

The prosecution expected to produce in court more than 10 witnesses among them the deceased’s parents, an elder brother, and young sister who are set to give their testimony in the case today.

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