Agnes Tirop: Date Set for Slain Athlete's Burial in Nandi County

• Plans for Agnes Tirop's final rites are underway in Nandi county where she will be buried
• Tirop met her death under unclear circumstances after her lifeless body was discovered in Iten
• Ibrahim Rotich, the prime suspect behind her alleged murder has since been apprehended

The burial date for slain Olympic athlete, Agnes Tirop, has been scheduled for Saturday, October 23.

Tirop's interment will take place at her parent's home in Chesunet village, Nandi county, close to two weeks after her tragic death.

According to the burial organising committee made up of representatives from the Athletics Kenya, Nandi county government and family members, the athlete's funeral expense will cost KSh 5 million.

The development comes only days after the arrest of Ibrahim Rotich, the prime suspect behind Tirop's murder.

Rotich, who is believed to be the husband of the 25-year-old was apprehended in Mombasa, with authorities revealing he was attempting to flee the country.

"The prime suspect in the gruesome murder of 25-year-old world 5,000m record holder Agnes Tirop, has been arrested," a statement by the Director of Criminal Investigations said.

"Ibrahim Rotich, who was in a relationship with the athlete was arrested moments ago in Changamwe, Mombasa county, as he tried to flee to a neighbouring country to eveade justice," the statement continued.

Tirop found dead

While details on how Tirop met her death remain scanty, it is believed she may have been murdered as she was found with stab wounds on her abdomen.

Her lifeless body was discovered at her home last Wednesday, October 13, at her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet county.

Her tragic death came only two months after she represented the country in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she finished fourth in the 5,000m.

The two-time World Athletics Championships bronze medallist had set the world record for a women's only 10km road race in Germany.

Tirop honoured

In the wake of Tirop's death, the Athletics Kenya suspended all athletics competitions for two weeks in honour of the Olympian.

"In view of the latest developments, in honor of our fallen athletes, we have postponed the first and second legs of the AK Cross Country series," the athletics body said in a statement.

“We are confident the relevant agencies are working round the clock to ensure speedy justice to the family and friends who have been left emotionally scared by the demise of someone they depended on for financial and psychological support,” the statement added.