Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich accused of killing his athlete wife Agnes Jebet Tirop on Tuesday pleaded not guilty at the Eldoret High Court in Kenya.
Just over a month ago, Tirop – a highly decorated Kenyan olympian – was found stabbed to death at her home in Elgeyo.
Before she was murdered, the 25-year-old professional long-distance runner mainly competed in the 5 000m and cross country races.
Tirop was a fast-rising athlete.
Earlier this year she broke the women-only world record for 10km clocking 30:01 in Herzogenaurach, in Germany.
Tirop was also the 2015 world cross-country champion, a two-time world medallist over 10,000m, and had placed fourth over 5000m at this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
At the time of her untimely demise, Athletics Kenya said: “Kenya has lost a jewel,” adding, “she was one of the fastest-rising athletics giants on the international stage thanks to her eye-catching performances on the track.”
A week ago a Kenyan court ordered Rotich to undergo a mental check before he could make his plea.
On Tuesday Rotich, who denies killing his wife, was declared fit to stand trial.
The matter was adjourned to 1 December when Rotich is expected to apply for bail.
