There was drama in an Eldoret High Court on Thursday morning when the family of slain Kenyan elite marathoner Agnes Tirop and human rights activists staged a protest in the courtroom over the adjournment of the murder case for the fourth consecutive time.

This was when the Presiding Judge Robert Wananda adjourned the matter after he was informed by Investigating Officer Corporal Philip Ndeto that the prosecution was not ready to proceed with the hearing since the prime suspect, Ibrahim Rotich, was still at large.

In a shocking turn of events, Ngingi Mbugua, the lawyer for the accused person Ibrahim Rotich, was conspicuously missing in court and efforts to locate him on his mobile phone were futile.

Justice Wananda was taken aback when he was informed by the prosecution that even the investigating officer from the DCI homicide unit identified as Police Constable Sanga had not turned up in court to give an update on the whereabouts of the accused person.

Officers drawn from the prison and regular police units were forced to move to secure the courtroom as the judge left for his chamber in a huff. Also to follow suit were lawyers, the prosecution team and members of the public who had come for the hearing.

Earlier on, Corporal Ndeto had informed the court that the accused person was still on the run, but expressed optimism that the law would soon catch up with him.

“Your lordship, we ask that you grant us one month to locate where the accused person is hiding. We have been tipped off on where he is hiding and we cannot disclose the information at this point,” said Corporal Ndeto

Ndeto further brought to the attention of the court the challenges they are facing in tracing the exact location where the accused person is hiding as he has switched off all his mobile phones.

Rotich is charged with the killing estranged wife and has since denied the murder charge before the High Court in Eldoret. According to court documents, he committed the said crime on October 12, 2021, at their rural estate house in Iten town, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

By the time of jumping bail, the accused had been freed on a cash bail of Ksh400,000 ($3,091) by Justice Wananda after spending two years in Eldoret GK remand Prison. Justice Wananda directed that the matter be mentioned on July 23 to update the court on the whereabouts of the accused person.

“I will allow an application by the investigating officer Corporal Philip Ndeto to be given one month if they will have arrested and availed the accused person in court,” the judge ruled.

No sooner had the judge pronounced himself on the matter than the people in the courtroom rose to their feet and broke into song and dance as they called for justice into the grisly murder of the slain international marathoner.

The judge was forced to halt other pending court case matters when the crowd wearing white T-shirts and placards inscribed with the late Agnes Tirop’s picture burst into songs while calling for justice for her.

Pleas by the judge to the family of the slain marathoner and the activists to calm down and allow him to continue with other matters after the postponement fell on deaf ears.

“Now that I have dispensed with your matter, allow me to proceed with other pending court cases and matters slated for today,” Justice Wananda pleaded to no avail.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Ekuwam Sylvester