According to the family of Agnes Tirop, the plot to assassinate Olympian Agnes Tirop could have been hatched while she was in Japan for the Olympics three months ago, when the majority of her belongings changed hands.
Her family believes she was murdered as a result of a feud over property ownership. The family stated they realized most of her property had been transferred through family spokesman Jeremiah Sawe.
Ms Tirop’s Iten home is built on land that belongs to the suspect, whom her parents have avoided since he is not married to their daughter. A plot of land near the University of Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County, which sold for Sh9 million, is one of the recently sold properties.
The family has recorded testimony to that effect, according to Keiyo North sub county DCIO Andolo Munga, but it is being considered as “accusations until confirmed differently.” To ensure a strong case, Mr Munga said investigators, led by the homicide squad, are evaluating reports from pathology, CCTV cameras, imaging chemistry, and forensics, among other things.
The athlete’s family has stated that they will launch a civil case in order to reclaim the athlete’s belongings. Martin Tirop, Ms Tirop’s younger brother, previously told the Nation that the suspect was hell-bent on separating her from her family.
He also claimed that he knew something was wrong because all means of contacting her were blocked,even her phone too. He was never made aware of any of the properties because she was only accessed through the suspect. He stated his sister didn’t come home very often, and they now suspect it wasn’t of her own will, but she could have been under threat.
Athletics Kenya and other officials, including Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, have provided legal assistance to aid with the property recovery. The athlete’s property acquired during her career, according to Oscar Sudi, a Kapseret MP, was public knowledge.
Among the properties listed as missing by the family are a plot in Kipkorgot,another in a plot in Iten, six plots in Kesses, one of which was recently sold for Sh9 million, three plots in Eldoret previously under Ms Tirop’s name but whose ownership now indicates’shared,’ a plot in Moiben that is being developed, two vehicles without documents, and one registered in Mr Rotich’s friend’s name.
Her bank accounts, on the other hand, are frozen and cannot be reached. “We’re calling with the government to help us collect all of these properties,” Mr Sawe said. “We’re pleading with everyone who may have fallen victim to the suspect’s unscrupulous ways and purchased any item belonging to the deceased to contact us.”
Tirop died from knife wounds to the neck and skull fractures injuries to the head, according to a post-mortem performed yesterday by Government Pathologist Dorothy Njeru. Dr. Njeru said after a three-hour assessment at the Iten County Referral Hospital mortuary, “In general, the examination revealed injuries caused by stab wounds to the neck and head trauma.”
She said the report had been forwarded to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for additional inquiry by two pathologists and forensic experts, but she wouldn’t elaborate.
During the post-mortem, a pathologist representing the family and investigators from DCI’s Homicide department were present. Mr Vincent Tirop, the athlete’s father, showed assent with the post-mortem and requested that the DCI investigate the motive for his daughter’s death.
Mr Tirop added, “The police have done their job, and (I) trust that justice will be served.” Before the burial on Saturday, he said the body would be taken to an Eldoret mortuary.
Mr Ibrahim Rotich, the key suspect in the assassination of the athlete, was transported to court yesterday as her family began the legal procedure to reclaim her property. The prosecution’s plea to keep the suspect at the Eldoret Central Police Station for another 20 days was approved by Iten Senior Principal Magistrate Charles Kutwa.
He further ordered that the suspect be taken to Eldoret’s Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) for a mental examination in order to determine his suitability to stand trial. Two more people have been arrested in connection with the athlete’s killing, and police are still questioning witnesses.
The athlete’s family cleaned the house where she was murdered on Monday. They’ve also stated that Mr Rotich’s relatives will not be allowed to attend the burial, and that they will not take any traditional recompense for her death.