Husband of killed Kenyan Olympian Tirop, who is charged with murder, pleads not guilty

ELDORET, Kenya, Nov. 16 (Reuters) – Ibrahim Rotich, husband of slain Kenyan Olympic runner Agnes Tirop, was charged with her murder and pleaded not guilty in a Kenyan court on Tuesday.

Rotich, 41, was ordered to undergo a mental health test last week before making a plea. Tirop was found stabbed to death at her home in the Rift Valley town of Iten on October 13, in a case that highlighted violence against women in the East African country.

Rotich appeared in court handcuffed, wearing a black jacket and cap. He looked at the floor during most of the negotiations.

Rotich’s attorney Joseline Mitei declined to discuss the details or results of his mental health investigation.

“I intend to formally petition the court to have my client released on bail,” Mitei said.

The bail hearing is scheduled for December 1st.

One day after Tirop’s body was discovered, the police arrested Rotich in the coastal city of Mombasa. They said he tried to flee the country.

In September Tirop broke the 10km world record for women only in Germany. She won bronze over 10,000 meters at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.

Reporting by Fredrick Odor and Humphrey Malalo; Letter from Ayenat Mersie; Editing by Catherine Evans and Ed Osmond

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