Ibrahim Rotich, the husband of Agnes Tirop, who was killed last month, pleaded not guilty in court this morning.
Upon hearing the charge of murder, delivered by Justice Reuben Nyakundi, he reportedly declared, “It’s not true, your honour.”
The long-distance runner, Tirop, was found dead in her home in Iten, West Kenya. Iten is a popular training base for many Kenyan runners.
Killed on 13th October, Tirop’s funeral was held on 23rd October on what would have been her 26th birthday. More than 1000 mourners attended to honour the life of the two-time world championship bronze medalist.
A postmortem indicated she died from multiple stab wounds to the neck, along with blunt force trauma to the head.
Wacera Ngugi, a Kenyan woman runner, 32, spoke to Runner’s World about the prevalence of abuse experienced by female athletes from their partners, saying it’s “very common” for these women to be controlled by their husbands and used for their earnings.
Local Kenyan police claim Rotich went “on the run” before finally being found in Mombasa, where he was arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife.
The court case was initiated after Rotich underwent a mental health evaluation, in which he was found fit to stand trial.
Rotich’s lawyer, Ngige Ngugi, said that his client will be applying to be released on bond as the trial continues.
However, State Counsel David Fedha says an affidavit has already been filed, which will block any such application.
The issue of release on bond will be resumed on 1st December, by order of Justice Nyakundi.