In a dramatic development that has reignited a long-standing quest for justice, a former British soldier, Robert James Purkiss, was arrested in London last week in connection with the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, a young Kenyan mother, near a British army training camp in Nanyuki, Kenya. The arrest, confirmed by multiple sources including Sky News, Reuters, and the Kenyan DAILY POST, marks a significant turning point in a case that has strained diplomatic relations and haunted Wanjiru’s family for over a decade.
Purkiss, 38, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, November 7, 2025, to face the start of extradition proceedings following an international arrest warrant issued by Kenyan authorities in September. He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear again on November 14 for a bail hearing, with a case management session set for December 9, as reported by the Kenyan DAILY POST. Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) confirmed that the extradition process formally began on September 16, after securing the warrant from a Nairobi court. By October 9, all necessary documentation had been submitted to UK officials, paving the way for Purkiss’s arrest by specialist officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
The case dates back to March 31, 2012, when Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old freelance hairdresser and mother of a five-month-old daughter, was last seen alive in the company of British soldiers at the Lion’s Court Hotel in Nanyuki. Her disappearance sent shockwaves through the local community, and her body was eventually discovered in a septic tank at the hotel on June 5, 2012. A post-mortem examination revealed a 2cm stab wound to her lower abdomen and a collapsed lung. According to a 2019 judicial inquiry in Kenya, Wanjiru had been beaten, stabbed, and was likely still alive when she was thrown into the pit where her body was found. The magistrate leading the inquiry attributed responsibility to British soldiers, but no charges were brought at the time, fueling anger and frustration among Wanjiru’s family and human rights advocates.
The protracted delay in achieving justice has been a source of deep pain for Wanjiru’s relatives. Speaking to Sky News, her niece and family spokesperson, Esther Njoki, expressed a bittersweet sense of relief at the recent developments: “I don’t think at any time we have ever thought that he would ever get arrested. But seeing that things now are changing, we are very happy.” Njoki described the family’s struggle as a “long journey” and admitted that at times they felt like giving up. “Seeing Agnes’ daughter, who survived her, we had to take up that fight and to fight for her... I’m not doing this just for Agnes, but even for other generations to come.”
Wanjiru’s memory, Njoki said, continues to be a guiding force for the family. She remembered her aunt as “lively” and “an extrovert,” someone who made others feel safe and cared for. “That is the reason why I took up this role, because she took care of me.” Despite the progress, Njoki emphasized that the road ahead remains uncertain: “This is just the beginning of the long process that is ahead of us... We have waited for far too long, 13 years, and we don’t know how long the extradition process may take.” She added, “As a family, we are still grieving, especially because of the frustrations that we get, that’s what makes us feel sad and even grieve more, because we are here to get peace. Because as long as justice has not been served, there’s no peace.”
The legal proceedings in London have already revealed new details and reignited old controversies. The court heard that Purkiss allegedly confessed to the killing, telling a colleague that “it was sex that went wrong.” However, his lawyer, David Josse KC, told the court that Purkiss “vehemently” denied the charge and did not consent to extradition. According to Sky News, Purkiss’s defense has made it clear that he intends to fight the extradition request, setting the stage for a potentially lengthy legal battle.
The case has not only been a personal tragedy for Wanjiru’s family but has also become a diplomatic flashpoint between Kenya and the United Kingdom. The murder, and the perceived lack of accountability, have caused strong tensions between the two countries. Human rights organizations and activists have accused British authorities of shielding suspects due to a bilateral military cooperation agreement that complicates the prosecution of British soldiers stationed in Kenya. The agreement, which governs the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK), has come under renewed scrutiny as calls for justice have grown louder on both sides of the border.
British officials have been cautious in their public statements. When approached by Reuters, a UK government spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. Nevertheless, the Ministry of Defence reiterated in September its “commitment to supporting Agnes Wanjiru’s family and to fully cooperating with Kenyan authorities to ensure that justice is served.” Following the issuance of the arrest warrant, another government spokesperson expressed condolences and reaffirmed Britain’s support for the pursuit of justice, as reported by the Kenyan DAILY POST: “We remain absolutely committed to helping Wanjiru’s family secure justice.”
Purkiss’s background as a career soldier adds another layer of complexity to the case. He joined the British Army in 2006, serving with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and completing multiple tours in Afghanistan before being deployed to Kenya in 2012 as part of BATUK. The presence of British troops in Kenya, while long-standing, has often been a source of both cooperation and controversy, particularly when incidents involving local civilians occur.
For many in Kenya, Wanjiru’s case has come to symbolize broader issues of justice, accountability, and the legacy of colonial-era relationships. The public outrage that followed the discovery of her body was not just about one woman’s tragic fate, but also about the perceived impunity of foreign soldiers and the slow pace of justice for Kenyan victims. The extradition proceedings against Purkiss are now being closely watched as a test of whether those barriers can finally be overcome.
As the next court dates approach, Wanjiru’s family remains steadfast in their determination to see justice done—not only for Agnes and her daughter, but for all those who have waited too long for answers. “This is just the beginning,” Njoki said, “and we will not stop until there is peace.”
