Mourners pay tribute to the running star

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Many Kenyan athletes attended the funeral

Leading athletes joined hundreds of mourners at the funeral of Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop, who was stabbed to death in her home.

Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, appeared in court this week as a suspect in her murder.

Ms Tirop was buried at her parents’ home in Nandi County, Kenya, on what would have been her 26th birthday.

Speakers at the funeral called for an end to domestic violence.

His mother, Dinah Tirop, also spoke.

“I don’t have much to say for today, I cried, I cried, all my tears are gone,” she said. “I give my daughter her last farewell and I ask God to give her her place.”

Kenyan athletes and mourners lay flowers to coffin in memory of long-distance runner Agnes Tirop

Many mourners wore the iconic red shirts of Athletics Kenya

A cyclist rides under a sign indicating

Mourners gathered in Kapnyamisa, Ms Tirop’s childhood village

Mourner reads eulogy program during funeral service for long-distance runner Agnes Tirop

Speakers at the funeral demanded swift justice for Ms Tirop

Ms Tirop was a promising long-distance runner who broke the women’s 10k world record last month, finished fourth at the 2020 Olympics over 5,000m and won bronze medals at the World Championships athletics.

A foundation against domestic violence will be created in his honor. Athletics Kenya announced on Saturday that the Kenyan stage of the World Cross Country Tour will be named Tirop.

A dark mood

By Michelle Katami, BBC Africa, Nandi County

A dark mood engulfed the funeral attended by more than 4,000 mourners, including athletes, residents and government officials.

The athletics fraternity included former Tirop teammates Faith Kipyegon and Hellen Obiri, while Ugandans Joshua Cheptegei, Peruth Chemutai and Jacob Kiplimo were also in attendance.

As a tribute, Ms. Tirop was described as a kind and always smiling woman.

Her murder has sparked a conversation in Kenya about domestic violence, even though her husband – the prime suspect – has yet to be charged by police.

Calls to end domestic violence as well as a call to hasten justice for the late athlete dominated speeches at the burial ceremony.

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