A group of Nandi elders on Monday conducted a cleansing ceremony at the home of slain Olympic star Agnes Tirop.
The ritual happened at her home in Iten, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, where she was found murdered last Wednesday.
Led by Kirwa Bitok, the Kaplel clan elders slaughtered a sheep and cleansed the house, which is a crime scene.
Bitok explained that the cleansing is meant to make the home hospitable to the rest of Tirop’s family members to live after the murder incident.
“We have expelled the bad spirits and the house is now ready for anyone to live in as our tradition dictates,” Bitok said.
Tirop’s husband Ibrahim Rotich, who is the prime suspect, was arrested in Mombasa last week trying to flee to a neighboring country. On Monday, an Iten court allowed police to detain Rotich for 20 days pending completion of investigations.
Tirop, 25, represented Kenya in the 5,000 meters at the Tokyo Olympics two months ago and finished fourth in the finals.
Last month, she shattered the women-only 10km world record in Germany, crossing the line in 30:01 to shed 28 seconds from the previous 19-year record held by Morocco’s Asmae Leghzaoui.
She won bronze medals at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships in the 10,000-meter race and also won the 2015 World Cross Country Championships.
She is set to be laid to rest at her parent’s home in Nandi County on Saturday.
