A Kenyan high court has ordered the arrest of a British national accused of murdering 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru near a British army training camp in Nanyuki, central Kenya, 13 years ago.
Wanjiru’s body was discovered in a septic tank in April 2012, weeks after she was last seen leaving a bar with British soldiers.
Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed on Tuesday that Justice Alexander Muteti issued the arrest warrant, ruling that murder is an extraditable offence and that there was probable cause to bring charges against the suspect. The court did not disclose the suspect’s identity or confirm whether they were serving in the military at the time.
The decision has renewed attention on a case that has long drawn outrage both in Kenya and the United Kingdom. Wanjiru’s relatives, who have been waiting more than a decade for accountability, described the ruling as a step forward.
“While this is progress, it is not justice yet,” said family spokesperson Esther Muchiri.
Wanjiru left behind a daughter who was five months old at the time of her death. Now 13, she has been raised by her grandmother and aunt.
A 2019 inquest by a Kenyan magistrate concluded that Wanjiru was killed by British soldiers, but no charges were brought until now.
The UK has repeatedly pledged to support the family in their search for justice. In April this year, Defence Secretary John Healey met Wanjiru’s relatives and vowed to “help the family secure the justice they deserve.” On Tuesday, the British High Commission in Kenya reiterated that commitment.
“Our thoughts remain with the family of Agnes Wanjiru and we remain absolutely committed to helping them secure justice,” a UK government spokesperson said, declining to comment further due to ongoing proceedings.
British forces have long faced scrutiny in Kenya over allegations of misconduct. Just last month, an internal army investigation revealed that soldiers at the Nanyuki training camp continued to pay for sex despite an official ban aimed at curbing exploitation.
Britain maintains around 200 military personnel in Kenya, where they train more than 1,000 Kenyan soldiers annually ahead of deployments to Somalia to combat al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab. The partnership is valued at over 1.1 billion Kenyan shillings ($9.6 million) each year.