Agnes Tirop's husband to stay in custody until March

The husband of slain Kenyan distance running star Agnes Jebet Tirop, Ibrahim Rotich, will remain in custody until March pending his bail application hearing after the date was pushed forward.

The Eldoret Court on Wednesday adjourned the bail hearing to March 9, 2022, following the absence of the presiding judge Justice Reuben Nyakundi who is away on official duties, with the new hearing date being issued by Deputy Registrar Diana Milimo.

On the day of the bail hearing, the court will also issue a hearing date for the main case.

The court has also issued an interim order to the family of the late Tirop to have custody of all her property until the matter is heard and determined, appointing Tirops father Vincent Tirop as the temporary administrator of her property.

The Prosecution already filed an affidavit countering his release on bond on November 16 during his plea taking through state counsel Anthony Fedha, arguing that Rotich might influence, frighten or interfere with witnesses if released.

In October, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that Rotich was arrested just a day after the gruesome murder of the athlete in Mombasa while reportedly trying to flee the country.

Rotich was charged with the murder of the athlete in November but went ahead to deny the charges when he appeared before the high court in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret.

Tirop featured last at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, taking part in the 5,000m where she finished fourth.

The Women-only 10km record holder and former World Cross Country champion was found dead in her Iten home on October 13.