On April 8, 2025, the Eldoret High Court issued orders following the escape of Ibrahim Rotich, the primary suspect in the murder of athlete Agnes Tirop. Rotich had been facing a serious charge of murder but managed to escape custody, prompting the court to take swift action.
The case unfolded when Justice Robert Wananda, presiding over the case, expressed his shock at the fact that Rotich had been able to secure his release on bond under unusual circumstances. The judge revealed that Rotich had not required anyone to stand surety for him, as is typically the case in high-profile criminal cases, but instead had bailed himself out by depositing the required amount of money directly into the court. This unusual method of securing his freedom raised questions about the processes followed by the authorities in his case, especially given the gravity of the charge against him.
Justice Wananda further criticized the handling of Rotich’s release, citing the apparent laxity of the police officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) homicide department. The suspect was initially granted bail after being held at Eldoret GK remand prison for two years. As part of the bail conditions, Rotich was prohibited from leaving his home county of Uasin Gishu and was barred from entering Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, where the murder had occurred. Additionally, he was instructed to avoid any contact with the victim’s family and to refrain from interacting with prosecution witnesses.
However, despite these conditions, Rotich managed to breach the court’s orders by disappearing. The judge ordered the investigating officers—Corporals Johnston Sanga, Philip Ndedo, and Police Sergeant Julius Koima, who are attached to the DCI homicide unit—to expedite the search and arrest Rotich, whether dead or alive. Justice Wananda’s directive underscored the seriousness with which the court viewed the breach of trust and the suspect’s disappearance. The judge’s frustration was palpable as he questioned how the police could have failed to monitor and ensure the compliance of a high-risk suspect, especially one facing such a severe charge.
The order to arrest Rotich came after his failure to comply with the conditions set by the court when he was granted bail. The High Court’s ruling emphasized the importance of holding the suspect accountable for his actions and ensuring that justice was served, regardless of his efforts to evade capture.
In response to the court’s directive, Johnstone Sanga, one of the DCI officers, requested that the court grant them additional time to execute the arrest order. Sanga asked for at least one month to track down Rotich and bring him into custody. This request was made in light of the difficulty involved in apprehending someone who had gone into hiding and the complexities surrounding the ongoing investigation.
The case will continue to unfold, with the next hearing scheduled for June 12, 2025. In the meantime, the authorities have pledged to intensify their efforts to locate the fugitive and bring him back to face the charges. The events surrounding Rotich’s escape have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in ensuring that suspects remain under surveillance, especially in cases involving serious crimes such as murder.
As the search continues, the public’s attention remains focused on the case, and questions surrounding the management of high-profile suspects and their bail conditions are likely to remain a topic of discussion in the coming months.
