Kenyan Court Orders Arrest and Extradition of UK Soldier in Agnes Wanjiru Murder Case

Kenyan Court Issues Arrest Warrant for British National

A Kenyan High Court has issued an arrest warrant and ordered the extradition of a British national suspected in the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru. The ruling, delivered by High Court Judge Alexander Muteti in Nairobi on September 16, 2025, mandates that the unnamed former British soldier be brought to Kenya to face murder charges. This decision marks a pivotal moment in a case that has spanned 13 years and drawn international attention.

The Tragic Death of Agnes Wanjiru

Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old Kenyan mother, disappeared on March 31, 2012, after being last seen with British soldiers at the Lion's Court Hotel in Nanyuki, a town near the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) camp. Her body was discovered two months later, in April 2012, in a septic tank at the same hotel. A 2019 inquest concluded that she had been 'unlawfully killed' by British soldiers, with a post-mortem examination revealing she suffered stab wounds to the chest and abdomen and had been beaten. It was also suggested she was likely still alive when placed in the septic tank.

Legal Proceedings and Extradition Efforts

The recent court order follows years of advocacy by Wanjiru's family and human rights groups. Judge Muteti stated there was 'probable cause to order the arrest of the accused' and that murder is an extraditable offense. The suspect's identity has not been publicly disclosed by the court, a decision questioned by Wanjiru's family, who asked, 'After 13 years why are they still hiding his identity?' Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has confirmed that extradition proceedings will now be initiated to ensure the suspect is brought before a Kenyan court. The case is scheduled for its next court mention on October 21, 2025.

International Response and Family's Quest for Justice

The United Kingdom government has acknowledged the Kenyan court's ruling and pledged to cooperate with Kenyan authorities. UK Defence Secretary John Healey met with Wanjiru's family in April 2025, expressing condolences and promising 'full support' for the investigation. For Wanjiru's family, the court order represents a significant step towards justice after more than a decade of waiting. A family spokesperson, Esther Muchiri, stated, 'While this is progress, it is not justice yet.' The case has also brought renewed scrutiny to the conduct of British soldiers stationed in Kenya and the accountability mechanisms in place for alleged misconduct.