The President mourned Agnes as a Kenyan hero and champion whose death is a big blow to the country’s sporting ambitions and profile.
“It is unsettling, utterly unfortunate and very sad that we’ve lost a young and promising athlete who, at a young age of 25 years, she had brought our country so much glory through her exploits on the global athletics stage including in this year’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she was part of the Kenyan team in Japan,” the President eulogized. “I urge our law enforcement agencies led by the National Police Service to track down and apprehend the criminals responsible for the killing of Agnes so that they can face the full force of the law,” the Head of State directed.
According to the police in the area and Athletics Kenya, Tirop’s husband, Ibrahim Kipchumba Rotich is a suspect in the investigation of her death. “Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich, who is her husband, is still at large, and preliminary investigations tell us Rotich is a suspect because he cannot be found. Police are trying to find him so he can explain what happened to Tirop.” Tom Makori, head of police for the area, said.
Rotich has been acting as Tirop’s coach but there have been many challenges and it is believed they were not staying in the same house as Rotich had moved out. Tirop's family reported he had phoned them crying and asking for God’s forgiveness for something he had done. Tirop’s car, which was parked outside the home, had its windscreen and windows smashed, which could indicate a domestic dispute before she was killed, police said.
Tirop had marital issues with her husband and frequently fought. The two reportedly sought arbitration from family members on several occasions. Neighbours said the deceased returned to the house on Monday, October 11, having left weeks earlier after a disagreement. "She had not been home since returning from Japan. Tirop said she was physically abused and fled to the training camp to seek refuge. She had just returned home following the arbitration by the family and friends," one neighbour said.
The Head of State, who is out of the country on an official visit to the US, prayed for God’s grace and calm for the family, friends, relatives and supporters of Agnes Tirop as they come to terms with the athlete’s shocking death.