Ibrahim Rotich, the prime suspect in the murder of Olympic runner Agnes Tirop, was Tuesday formally charged with murder.
Rotich, 41, appeared before Justice Reuben Nyakundi at the Eldoret High Court where he pleaded not guilty.
“It’s not true your honour,” said Rotich when the murder charge was read out to him.
The accused appeared in court in handcuffs, wearing a black jacket and a cap. He looked down at the floor for most of the proceedings.
Last week, the court ordered that Rotich undergoes a medical assessment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital before taking a plea.
He was consequently found fit to stand trial.
Joseline Mitei, who was holding brief for Rotich’s lawyer Ngigi Mbugua, indicated that they were working on filing an application for release on bond or bail.
However, State Counsel David Fedha said they had already filed an affidavit on November 9 to oppose the application for bond.
Justice Nyakundi directed that the defence files a reply to the affidavit filed by the prosecution and that a pre-bail report be prepared in 14 days.
The court directed that the matter be mentioned on December 1, 2021, for further directions.
