More than a decade after Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old mother, was killed in Kenya allegedly by a British soldier, a Kenyan court has issued an arrest warrant for a UK national. If there is an extradition, it would be the first time a serving or former British soldier is sent abroad to face trial for the murder of a civilian – a move her friends would welcome.
On the night she went missing on 31 March 2012, Agnes begged her childhood friends to come out with her. She had recently become a mother and was looking to let off some steam. Her friends recount that evening at the bar in Lions Court Hotel in Nanyuki, where British soldiers were a familiar presence, often causing discomfort among the local women.
Friend A, present that night, recalls feeling uneasy about the white men and the way they interacted with Kenyan women. Agnes, who was struggling financially, often sought companionship that night in exchange for money.
The events of that night took a dark turn when Agnes left the bar with a white man, prompting her friends to worry when she didn’t return. Days later, her body was discovered in a septic tank, having been brutally murdered.
Despite initial investigations and a ruling by a Kenyan judge that Agnes was murdered by British soldiers, the case lingered with minimal action for years. Recent media investigations have brought renewed attention, revealing ongoing misconduct by British troops in Kenya and prompting calls for accountability.
On 16 September, the Kenyan High Court issued a warrant for the suspect, stirring hope for justice among Agnes's family and friends. They express frustration over the lengthy delay and demand the British Army take decisive action. Agnes's niece has initiated support campaigns to raise awareness and financial resources to ensure justice is served and her aunt’s legacy is honored.
“The British Army cannot keep ignoring the murder of our friend,” her friends insist. “We want justice for Agnes and her daughter.”
