Family of Agnes Wanjiru Outraged by Delay in UK Extradition Case

Case Background and Recent Developments

The family of Agnes Wanjiru has expressed significant distress following news that an extradition hearing for a former British soldier, accused of her 2012 murder in Kenya, has been postponed until May 2027. Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old mother at the time, went missing in March 2012 in Nanyuki. Her body was discovered three months later in a septic tank at a hotel near a British army training camp. A 2019 Kenyan inquest concluded she was unlawfully killed by British soldiers.

Family Reaction and Legal Status

Robert James Purkiss was arrested in the UK in November 2024 and is currently contesting his extradition to Kenya to face murder charges. The hearing, which had been scheduled to take place in London next month, has now been pushed back by over two years. Relatives, including Wanjiru’s niece Esther Njoki, described the postponement as "completely unacceptable" and noted that the family had already made travel arrangements to attend the proceedings.

• Key concerns raised by the family:
• Lack of official explanation regarding the extended delay.
• The case entering its 15th year without a trial.
• The need for dignity and consistent communication from authorities.

Official Context

While the UK government has previously stated its commitment to supporting the family’s quest for justice, officials have declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings. A UK court is expected to provide the reasoning for the postponement next week. Previously, in September 2025, a Kenyan High Court issued an arrest warrant for a British national following the presentation of evidence by prosecutors.