A former British soldier has been denied bail in London in connection with the 2012 death of a young Kenyan mother. Robert James Purkiss, 38, from Wiltshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court following his arrest on November 6. Kenya is seeking his extradition over the killing of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru, who died near a British Army training camp in Nanyuki.

Purkiss allegedly confessed to a fellow soldier that he had killed Wanjiru during a night out at a hotel close to the base, according to prosecutors. Wanjiru’s body was found three months later in a septic tank at the same hotel. At the time of her death, she had a five-month-old baby. The case was reopened in 2018 after years of pressure from Wanjiru’s family and Kenyan rights groups, leading to an inquest that concluded in 2019.

The inquest found that Wanjiru had been unlawfully killed, with stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, and pointed to one or two British soldiers as responsible. Purkiss’s lawyers maintain that he strongly denies the allegations and plans to fight the extradition. He was detained by specialist officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency after a warrant was issued in September.

Wanjiru was last seen at a bar where British troops were drinking. Her death has sparked widespread concern and outrage, with many calling for justice and accountability. The case has also raised questions about the treatment of local civilians by foreign military personnel in Kenya.

Purkiss’s arrest and potential extradition mark a significant development in the case, which has been ongoing for over a decade. The decision to deny him bail underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the allegations. As the case proceeds, it is likely to draw continued attention to the issues of military accountability and justice for victims of violence. The next steps in the extradition process will be closely watched, as Purkiss faces the possibility of standing trial in Kenya for Wanjiru’s killing.