The family of Agnes Wanjiru is finally feeling a sense of justice after 12 long years of waiting. This follows the arrest of the prime suspect in her murder, marking a significant step forward in a case that has long symbolized delayed justice and international accountability.
Agnes Wanjiru was brutally murdered in March 2012, and her body was later discovered in a septic tank at a hotel in Nanyuki, a garrison town known for hosting British soldiers. Her death shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage, with calls for justice echoing for over a decade. For years, the family maintained hope that one day, the person responsible would face the law.
The suspect, identified as Robert James Purkiss, aged 38, was recently apprehended by specialist officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency in Wiltshire. His arrest has reignited hopes for justice not only for Agnes’s family but also for many Kenyans who have followed the case with deep concern.
Family spokesperson Esther Njoki expressed relief and gratitude, saying the arrest marked a long-awaited milestone. She noted that although justice had taken too long, this development gives the family renewed faith in the process. “We can’t bring Agnes back, but we can protect other women,” she said, emphasizing the importance of holding those in power accountable. She further condemned the suspect’s previous claims that the incident was “sex gone wrong,” stressing that such an excuse could never justify taking a life.
Esther, who was only eight years old when her aunt was murdered, shared that the journey to justice has been emotionally draining but necessary. She began advocating for her aunt’s case at 17 and has since become a powerful voice pushing for accountability.
Rose Wanyua, Agnes’s sister, also expressed overwhelming emotion upon hearing the news. She admitted there were times she almost gave up, thinking justice would never come, but perseverance and faith have finally borne fruit. The family is now urging a swift extradition process to ensure that the case proceeds without further delays.
Their message is clear: justice delayed does not have to mean justice denied. As Rose poignantly put it, “The dead can’t cry out for justice. It is the duty of the living to do so for them.”
