A Kenyan high court has issued an arrest warrant for a British national accused of murdering a 21-year-old local woman, Agnes Wanjiru, near a British army training ground in central Kenya 13 years ago. According to court officials, the suspect, whose name has not been disclosed, is currently residing in Britain. The court’s decision to withhold the suspect’s identity is unusual, as the names of murder suspects are typically made public in Kenya.
Wanjiru’s body was discovered in a septic tank in Nanyuki, north of Mt. Kenya, in April 2012, weeks after witnesses reported seeing her leave a bar with British soldiers. The case has garnered significant attention, with Wanjiru’s family expressing frustration over the lengthy delay in seeking justice. “While this is progress, it is not justice yet,” said Esther Muchiri, a family spokesperson. Muchiri also questioned the court’s decision to keep the suspect’s name private, asking, “After 13 years, why are they still hiding his identity?”
The Kenyan court’s ruling has prompted prosecutors to initiate an extradition request for the suspect. The British High Commission in Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the family’s pursuit of justice, although it declined to confirm whether an extradition request had been made. In April, UK Defense Secretary John Healey met with Wanjiru’s relatives and vowed to “help the family secure the justice they deserve.”
The case has implications for the British military’s presence in Kenya, where approximately 200 personnel are stationed. The UK invests over 1.1 billion Kenyan shillings ($9.6 million) annually in its partnership with Kenya, which includes training Kenyan soldiers for deployment to neighboring Somalia to combat al-Shabab. However, concerns have been raised in the past about the treatment of local residents and the environment by British forces in their training ground.
Wanjiru’s daughter, now 13, has been living with her grandmother and aunt since her mother’s disappearance. The family’s wait for justice has been prolonged, but they hope that the latest developments will bring closure. The extradition request and potential trial of the suspect will be closely watched, as the case highlights tensions between the British military and local communities in Kenya.
