Tirop’s murder instantly raised wider issues in Kenya, specifically surrounding domestic abuse and gender-based violence, and how to tackle them.
It also highlighted the pressures faced by the country’s female athletes, and women in society as a whole.
“People started recognising there is a problem,” says Lagat.
“There was this misconception that people who get abused or beaten in their house are poor people who have nothing – all they do is fight because they have too many problems. The death of Agnes was a big shock. She was very successful.”
Along with fellow Kenyan athletes and Vincent Tirop, Lagat has formed a group called Tirop’s Angels, external which aims to stand in unity against gender-based violence.
“It just feels like her death was just a statistic – she was just another person who died from violence,” says Lagat, sister of five-time world champion Bernard.
“I don’t want that to happen to Agnes. I promised myself I’m not going to sit and wait for that to happen. I understand gender-based violence and I’m not afraid to speak about this.”
Tirop’s Angels’ aim is to offer a system of support in a country where a combination of fear, stigma and a lack of trust in the police mean the majority of cases are never reported.
“We don’t want one more person to go through this,” Lagat, 33, says.
“Within a very short time, we were so overwhelmed with phone calls from people going through issues.”
Some of Kenya’s female athletes say they have endured controlling behaviour by their husbands.
“With what happened to Agnes, the world came to light on what is happening,” says long-distance runner Mary Ngugi.
“As athletes, we have a platform, and we can use that platform to change this.
“Even if we don’t change what is already happening, we can help other girls to know that they don’t have to be in such a relationship. They don’t have to endure being used.
“We have seen Athletics Kenya doing some workshops, where they’re talking about these issues but it’s not that much support. I would like to see male athletes coming out and supporting it.
“When we preach more equality, and when we empower more women, this is when we are going to stop domestic violence.”