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Before you learn of her assumed murder and sensationalise the fact that her husband is being questioned as a prime suspect – I want you to take time to learn about the superstar that Agnes Tirop was in the world of athletics.

She has to be more than ‘a woman that was murdered by a man.’ She was an incredible athlete, a friend and family member to a few, and if we tell her story right she will remain an inspiration to many more.

Full text below the infographic.

Her wonderful life

Agnes Tirop was a professional long-distance runner, who first came into the spotlight while participating in Cross Country Championships for Kenya, in 2012. She placed runner up to Faith Kipyegon, who was the world junior champion at the time.

That same year, the pair would run together at the 2012 African Cross Country Championships (ACCC) representing their homeland. They took the top spots, of course. With Kipyegon achieving gold and Tirop achieving silver.

In 2014, Tirop continued to excel – this time in the championships she came first and this winning streak would eventually lead to her being chosen to join the senior team. At the time she said

“I did not even believe I could make the team. I will not fear running against seniors.“

Little did she know, that one day she would be regarded as one of Kenya’s best athletes ever.

In September of this year at just 25 years old, Tirop broke the women-only 10,000m road record. She completed the race in a record of 30 minutes and 1 second. Beating the previous record by 28 seconds.

Her most recent accolade to date was achieving a silver medal on the 3rd of October at the Giants Geneva race.

Her Death

The star was found stabbed in her home in Iten on the 13th of October after her father had reported her missing. The police found her in a pool of blood, with a stab wound to her neck. Due to her husband being untraceable at the time, he became the prime suspect.

Tirop’s husband, Ibrahim Rotich, was arrested in Mombasa last week. He is yet to make any public comments and there is little information being provided about the case.

However, it has been alleged that Rotich had been planning her murder since the Tokyo Olympics. This is being supported by the ownership of her property being changed 3 months prior, suggesting that her wealth and success may have made her a target.

Prior to breaking the 10,000m world record, Tirop had fled her marital home for fears over her “safety”. She trained for races on a dirt road near her childhood family home, but the heavy rainfall in the area ruined the ground and she had to go back to Iten – where her husband was living.

Her coaches arranged security but unfortunately, Rotich was able to convince Agnes’ sister that she would be fine to go back to their home on the 11th of October. He then requested that her sister do not return to the property. Agnes was found dead on the 13th.

1000 mourners gathered for her funeral in the Great Rift Valley on the 23rd of October – this day would have been her 26th birthday.

Women’s 5000m champion Hellen Obiri stated that

“For us Kenyans, we have lost a hero, I told her that in 2022, she was to go and defend my titles and represent our country,”

Her coach Julius Kirwa described her as “a disciplined polite athlete”. He, justifiably, could not find any more words to say.

When police found her body they found that she had yet to unwrap one of the trophies she had won.

Rest Easy, Miss Agnes Tirop. Runner. Superstar.

Petition link: VALERIE’S LAW Compulsory Training for Agencies Supporting Black DV Victims