The Murder that Shook the Running World | Bloomberg Investigates

17 Nov 2023 (12 months ago)

Athletics in Kenya

Kenyan athletes have been improving their performance and achieving better times in recent years.
The Kenyan community is proud of its athletes and celebrates their success.
However, there is a dark side to athletics in Kenya, where women are often mistreated by men in the sport fraternity.

E10 is a small community in Kenya known for producing talented athletes.
The community is closely-knit and has a timeless feel to it.
It is the perfect place for runners to train, with minimal distractions and a focus on athletics.

Athletes in E10 join local training groups and are scouted by local and international trainers and agents.
They may receive contracts from top brands and have their training regimes and race schedules planned out for them.

Agnes Jepchirchir, a talented Kenyan athlete, achieved great success in her career.
She broke the world record in the 10K race and represented Adidas as one of their sponsored athletes.
However, behind the scenes, Agnes was in an abusive relationship with her husband and coach, Ibrahim Rotich.
The violence escalated, leading Agnes to leave the family home and seek shelter in a runner's camp.
Eventually, Ibrahim convinced her to return home, but tensions remained, and Agnes disappeared.
She was later found murdered, and Ibrahim was arrested as the prime suspect.

Agnes's story exposed a larger problem of gender-based violence in Kenyan athletics.
Many female athletes face abuse from their coaches, who take advantage of their vulnerable positions.
Coaches manipulate their athletes by providing basic necessities like shoes and shelter, creating dependency.
Athletes are often afraid to speak up or seek help due to fear of retribution or being ostracized.
The mentality that gender-based violence should be kept within the family contributes to the normalization of such abuse.

In response to these tragic events, Trup's Angels, an organization dedicated to eradicating gender-based violence, was formed.
They educate women on their rights, provide support, and advocate for change within the athletic community.
Trup's Angels encourages female athletes to have their own bank accounts and ensures their earnings are protected.
They aim to change the culture surrounding gender-based violence and empower women to speak up and live healthy lives.

There is a discussion around the responsibility of sports brands like Adidas in protecting their sponsored athletes.
While the focus is often on an athlete's performance, brands should also consider their well-being.
Some argue that brands should be more aware of an athlete's personal situation and take action if abuse is suspected.
However, others argue that brands may not always be aware of the full extent of an athlete's circumstances and rely on their representation for information.

Ibrahim Rotich, the prime suspect in Agnes's murder, was arrested and is facing charges.
There is a desire for justice to be served and for athletes to be protected from gender-based violence.
The case has shed light on the need for education and awareness about human rights and the prevention of gender-based violence in Kenya.