Extradition of British soldier said to have murdered Agnes Wanjiru begins

The Kenyan government has formally initiated extradition proceedings against a fugitive British soldier accused of murdering 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki in 2012. 

Appearing before Justice Alexander Muteti at the Milimani High Court on Tuesday, state counsels from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that steps to extradite British Soldier Robert James Purkiss have officially begun.

“We have started the process for the extradition of the fugitive,” stated prosecutor Kui Gichuhi.  “We forwarded the request to the Attorney General and received confirmation of receipt on October 13, 2025.”

The DPP has now requested the Attorney General to formally approach UK authorities to facilitate Purkiss’ arrest and handover to Kenyan authorities to face murder charges over the killing on a hotel in Nanyuki over a decade ago.

The court was informed that extradition paperwork was submitted on October 9, 2025. 

Wanjiru, a young mother and freelance hairdresser, vanished after a night out on March 31, 2012. 

She was last seen in the company of British soldiers at Lions Court Lodge in Nanyuki.

Her decomposing body was later discovered in a septic tank at the same lodge on June 5, 2012.

“We have initiated the extradition proceedings for the arrest and surrender of the fugitive,” added Gichuhi.

“We can mention the case in January, to check on the status.”

However, the Wanjirus are opposed to the timelines sought by the government to extradite the British soldier.

 “We have received a letter indicating that extradition proceedings have begun,” said Advocate Kamau Mbiyu, appearing for the Wanjiru family.

 “However, we have not heard from the prosecution that they are going to fast-track the extradition proceedings… We should mention this matter, if your diary permits, this year.”

Mbiyu emphasized that the family had waited over a decade for justice, despite the suspect having previously been named in an inquest that concluded Wanjiru was murdered.

Justice Muteti, while acknowledging the complexities of extradition, agreed with the concerns raised.

 “This court is alive to the fact that extradition is a long and tedious process,” the judge remarked.

 “The DPP has made the request, and the matter now lies with the Attorney General. However, the court agrees with the victim’s advocates that the case cannot wait until January 2026.”

Muteti ruled that monthly updates would be required from the DPP going forward.

 “The victims are anxiously waiting for justice to be done. It is important that this matter moves forward. Accordingly, the case shall be mentioned at least every month for an update on the process.”

The court also directed the prosecution to share its evidence in the case with Wanjiru’s family under strict confidentiality.

 “The material shall not be published, and the rights of the victims should not be violated. Utmost care in the handling of the material,” Justice Muteti ordered.

Prosecutors emphasized their commitment to pursuing justice in the case.

 “We welcome the family’s participation,” said Gichuhi. 

“It has been over 10 years, and we would like to have this matter concluded as fast as possible. Extradition is a long process involving multiple parties in different jurisdictions.”

“The roles of the victims, the prosecutor and the state should not be confused,” she added, responding to offers by the victim’s counsel to provide additional evidence.

The court was also urged to reassure the suspect that a fair trial awaits him in Kenya.

 “The state must ensure the suspect that we have a robust judiciary,” said Mbiyu. “He will be tried in accordance with the law and protected by the law. Our law protects every person tried in Kenya, without consideration of race, colour or otherwise.”

The murder of  Wanjiru has remained a dark stain in Kenya’s human rights history.

 The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), which operates near Nanyuki, came under scrutiny following the incident, especially after years of delay in investigations and prosecution.

Following years of public pressure and investigative reporting, the DPP in 2019 ordered an inquest into the matter.  

Nanyuki principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku who handled the inquest, later concluded that Wanjiru had been unlawfully killed, and concluded she was murdered by the British soldiers who were last seen with her
 
Now, more than a decade later, her family hopes that the extradition of  Purkiss will mark a turning point in a painful pursuit of justice.

The case will be mentioned on November 24, 2025, for further directions.