London, UK — A former British soldier, Robert James Purkiss, has appeared in a London court following his arrest in connection with the 2012 murder of Kenyan woman Agnes Wanjiru, whose death near a British Army training camp in Nanyuki has remained unresolved for over a decade.
The 38-year-old suspect was arrested on Thursday by officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) after Kenya issued an international arrest warrant and formally requested his extradition in September 2025.
According to the NCA, Purkiss appeared before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where extradition proceedings officially began. He was remanded into custody and will reappear in court on November 14.
The 2012 Murder That Shocked Kenya
Agnes Wanjiru, then 21 years old and a single mother, was found dead in a septic tank at the Lion’s Court Hotel in Nanyuki, a popular entertainment spot located near the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK).
She had last been seen alive in the company of British soldiers who were stationed in the area for joint training exercises.
A 2019 Kenyan inquest concluded that Wanjiru had been beaten, stabbed, and thrown into the septic tank while still alive. The presiding magistrate ruled that she was murdered by one or more British soldiers, urging the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to open a criminal case.
Despite the findings, no arrests were made for years, prompting public outrage in Kenya and calls for justice and accountability.
Kenya’s Extradition Request and Diplomatic Tension
In September 2025, Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) formally requested the extradition of a British national suspected in Wanjiru’s killing.
The move came after renewed investigations by Kenyan police and human rights organizations, who argued that the murder case had been deliberately stalled due to diplomatic sensitivities between Nairobi and London.
The case has since strained relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom, especially regarding the status of British military personnel based in the country.
Kenyan authorities and rights groups have accused the UK government of shielding the suspect, citing the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) — a bilateral deal that governs how British troops operate and are prosecuted while in Kenya.
Outrage and Calls for Justice
Wanjiru’s family, backed by local and international rights groups, has long demanded justice, accusing both governments of failing to act swiftly.
“We have waited for justice for more than 12 years. Agnes was not just a name in a file — she was a mother, a daughter, and a friend,” said a family representative during a recent media briefing in Nanyuki.
The delay in prosecution has sparked anger across Kenya, with activists arguing that the Defence Cooperation Agreement gives undue protection to British soldiers and undermines Kenya’s sovereignty.
UK and Kenyan Governments Respond
Asked for comment, a British government spokesperson told Reuters:
“It would be inappropriate to comment while there are ongoing legal proceedings.”
Meanwhile, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that it remains committed to supporting efforts to deliver justice for Wanjiru’s family, reaffirming cooperation with Kenyan authorities.
In Kenya, legal experts have called on the government to renegotiate the Defence Cooperation Agreement to ensure future accountability in cases involving foreign soldiers.
What Comes Next
If the UK court grants Kenya’s request, Robert James Purkiss could be extradited to face trial in Kenya, marking a major step toward justice for the late Agnes Wanjiru.
The extradition hearing will continue on November 14, 2025, with Kenyan prosecutors and British legal representatives expected to present further arguments.
Wanjiru’s case continues to serve as a symbol of the struggle for justice and equal treatment under international law, highlighting the complex relationship between military diplomacy and human rights in Kenya.
