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British ex-soldier arrested over 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru in Kenya
A former British soldier, Robert James Purkiss, 38, was arrested in Tidworth, Wiltshire, on 6 November in connection with the 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old Kenyan woman. The National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed his detention following a warrant issued in September, linking him to the case after years of family-led demands for justice.
Court appearance and extradition proceedings
Purkiss appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, where he declared his intention to contest extradition to Kenya. Remanded in custody, he is scheduled to return to court on 14 November. His legal team asserted that he "vehemently denies" the murder allegations, setting the stage for a protracted legal battle.
The 2012 killing and its aftermath
Agnes Wanjiru, a mother of a five-month-old child, vanished on 31 March 2012. Her body was discovered three months later in a septic tank near a hotel in Nanyuki, a town 124 miles (200 km) north of Nairobi. The location was adjacent to a British Army training camp, where Wanjiru had reportedly been socializing with soldiers the night she disappeared.
An inquest in 2019 ruled her death unlawful, attributing it to stab wounds inflicted by one or two British soldiers. The case gained renewed attention in 2021 when The Sunday Times revealed a soldier had allegedly confessed to colleagues about the killing before leaving the military.
Family's decade-long fight for justice
Wanjiru's family, represented by law firm Leigh Day, has accused both the British Army and Kenyan authorities of obstructing justice. Esther Njoki, Wanjiru's niece, met with the UK's defence minister last month to push for Purkiss's extradition. In a statement on Friday, she called the arrest "an important step toward justice" after years of waiting.
"My family is incredibly relieved to hear that the suspect in my aunt's case has been arrested. We have waited so many years for this moment."
Esther Njoki, niece of Agnes Wanjiru
Tessa Gregory, a partner at Leigh Day, emphasized the significance of the arrest, urging UK and Kenyan authorities to expedite the trial process: "This is a huge moment for our client and her family, who have fought for over a decade to obtain justice."
Broader allegations against British soldiers
The case has spotlighted wider misconduct allegations. A 2024 British Army review identified 35 instances of soldiers engaging in sexual exploitation or abuse in Kenya, including nine after a 2022 ban on such behavior. The findings underscored systemic issues tied to military deployments in the region.
Next steps
Purkiss's extradition hearing will resume on 14 November, while Wanjiru's family and advocates continue to demand accountability. The case remains a focal point for critics of military impunity and the treatment of local communities near overseas bases.
