Ofure Akhigbe
A Kenyan High Court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for a British national suspected of murdering 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru more than a decade ago.
Wanjiru was killed in March 2012, and her body was discovered nearly three months later in a septic tank at a hotel in Nanyuki, a central garrison town where British soldiers were based.
Justice Alexander Muteti, delivering the ruling on Tuesday, said prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence for the suspect to stand trial in Kenya. He also ordered that the identities of the accused and witnesses remain undisclosed to protect the integrity of the proceedings.
The warrant paves the way for extradition proceedings. The family’s lawyer, Kamau Mbiu, welcomed the decision but called for greater transparency, describing the case as a matter of public interest.
Wanjiru’s relatives, who live in Nanyuki near the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), have long demanded justice for her killing. She left behind a young daughter.
“This is a bitter-sweet moment,” said Wanjiru’s niece, Esther Njoki, adding that the extradition process could take time.
The prosecution assured the court that witnesses currently in the UK would be made available for trial in Kenya.
In London, a spokesperson for the UK government said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Agnes Wanjiru and we remain absolutely committed to helping them secure justice.” The spokesperson declined further comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
The UK Ministry of Defence has previously stated it is cooperating with Kenyan authorities in the investigation, which has sparked widespread outrage in Kenya.
Tessa Gregory, the family’s UK-based lawyer, urged the British government to facilitate extradition. “It must do everything in its power to ensure that the accused can face trial in Kenya as soon as possible,” she said.