A former British soldier has been arrested in London in connection with the 2012 murder of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki, Kenya. The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Robert James Purkiss, appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court to begin extradition proceedings following his arrest by specialist officers from Britain’s National Crime Agency. He was remanded into custody until his next court appearance scheduled for November 14.
The arrest follows an extradition request issued by Kenyan authorities in September 2025, marking a major step forward in a case that has long strained diplomatic relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom. Wanjiru was found dead in a septic tank at the Lion’s Court Hotel in Nanyuki in March 2012, days after she was last seen with a group of British soldiers who were in Kenya for training.
A Kenyan magistrate concluded in a 2019 inquest that Wanjiru had been murdered by one or more of the soldiers, recommending that those involved be investigated and prosecuted. Despite this, progress in bringing the suspects to justice had been painfully slow, prompting public outrage and calls for accountability. The delay has been attributed to diplomatic and legal complexities surrounding the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Kenya and the UK, which outlines the jurisdiction of each country over crimes committed by British military personnel stationed in Kenya.
Wanjiru, a single mother of a four-month-old baby at the time, suffered a brutal death. The inquest revealed that she had been beaten, stabbed, and was likely still alive when she was thrown into the septic tank. Her death drew widespread condemnation and renewed scrutiny of the conduct of foreign soldiers operating in Kenya.
The arrest of Purkiss has been welcomed by Wanjiru’s family and human rights advocates, who have spent years demanding justice. They hope the extradition process will proceed swiftly to ensure accountability after more than a decade of waiting.
The case remains a painful reminder of the challenges faced in cross-border justice, particularly involving military personnel under international agreements. Both the British and Kenyan governments have reiterated their commitment to ensuring justice for Wanjiru and her family, as public attention once again turns to whether this long-delayed case will finally reach closure.
