27 to testify in murder case of athlete Agnes Tirop

The late Agnes Tirop, former 500m World bronze medalist. [File, Standard]

The prosecution has lined up 27 witnesses to testify against key suspect Ibrahim Rotich in the murder case of athlete Agnes Tirop.

While appearing before Justice Robert Wananda for a pre-trial conference, the prosecution led by Mark Mugun told the court that Rotich's murder charges would be maintained because his application for plea bargain had been rejected.

The State Counsel told the court that the case would proceed to full trial and that the State would require between four and seven days to complete arguing its case. "The plea bargain request made by the accused was not agreed on, thus the need to have the case subjected to full hearing. The prosecution will avail about 27 witnesses who will testify in the case," Mugun stated.

He added that the prosecution has compelling evidence that it will present during the trial. Rotich's lawyer Ngigi Mbugua asked the court to consider releasing his client on bond or bail. However, the prosecution stated that the issue of release on bond had already been heard and determined by the court.

Tirop, 25, was a star athlete who participated in Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021, featuring in the 5,000-metre race in which she finished fourth.