This archive report was first published on 15 October 2021.
Published on October 15, 2021
Emmanuel Rotich, the prime suspect in the murder of Kenyan long-distance athlete Agnes Tirop, was arrested in Mombasa on Thursday night.
Rotich, who had been on the run since his wife's body was discovered in their home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, was apprehended by police in Changamwe after a two-day manhunt.
Agnes Tirop, a 25-year-old two-time World Championships medallist, was found dead in her bedroom with stab wounds on Wednesday.
The police named Rotich as a key suspect in the death of the Olympian, whose murder has sparked calls for the return of capital punishment in the country.
According to sources, Rotich was arrested in one of the police stations within Changamwe Police Division after a relative tipped off the police, who set a trap for him.
Coast Regional Commissioner John Elungata confirmed that Rotich was in custody, awaiting to be transferred to Nairobi early Friday morning where he will be taken to court.
Agnes Tirop was a rising star in the athletics world, having broken the women-only 10km world record just a month ago at an Adidas event in Germany.
"Kenya has lost a jewel who was one of the fastest rising athletics giants on the international stage, thanks to her eye-catching performances on the track," Athletics Kenya said in a statement.
