Kenya issues arrest warrant for British soldier over 2012 Agnes Wanjiru murder

A Kenyan court has issued an arrest warrant for a former British soldier, Robert James Purkiss, in connection with the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, marking a significant step after years of campaigning by her family.

21 sept 2025 - 19:34 • 3 min read

A Kenyan court has issued an arrest warrant for a former British soldier, Robert James Purkiss, in connection with the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old mother whose body was discovered in a septic tank near a British army training base. The move represents a significant development in a case that has spanned over a decade and involved persistent campaigning by Wanjiru's family.

The arrest warrant was issued by the high court in Nairobi on Tuesday, naming Purkiss, 38, who is reported to be from Greater Manchester and formerly served as a medic with the Duke of Lancaster’s regiment. The charges against him have not yet been proven in court, and Kenya will now seek his extradition to face trial.

A Decade of Waiting for Justice

Agnes Wanjiru, a hairdresser and mother to a five-month-old daughter, disappeared on the night of March 31, 2012, after a night out in Nanyuki, a market town in central Kenya. She was last seen at the Lion's Court hotel, a popular venue with British soldiers stationed in the area for hot weather training. Her body was discovered approximately two months later in a septic tank on the hotel grounds. She had been stabbed.

Over the subsequent 13 years, Wanjiru's family, spearheaded by her niece Esther Njoki and sister Rose Wanyua Wanjiku, campaigned relentlessly for answers. Their efforts saw the passing of six prime ministers and seven defence secretaries in the UK, and three presidents in Kenya, before this latest judicial development.

The case gained renewed international attention following a series of reports by The Sunday Times newspaper, which prompted serving and former soldiers to come forward and name a suspect. This led to a fresh police investigation, conducted by Kenyan detectives with support from the UK's Royal Military Police.

Extradition Process and Future Proceedings

For Purkiss to face trial in Kenya, the Kenyan government must submit an extradition request to the UK Home Office. The request will need to be certified by the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, and then proceed through the UK court system, typically Westminster magistrates court. British courts must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds to believe the alleged conduct constitutes an extradition offense before issuing a UK arrest warrant and proceeding with an extradition hearing.

Should Purkiss be extradited, criminal proceedings in Kenya will differ from those in the UK, as the jury system was abolished in Kenya after colonial rule. In Kenyan trials, the presiding judge makes the final decision, often assisted by legal expert assessors in more serious cases.

Official Statements and Family Reactions

A UK government spokesperson stated, "Our thoughts remain with the family of Agnes Wanjiru and we remain absolutely committed to helping them secure justice." The spokesperson acknowledged that the Kenyan director of public prosecutions has determined a British national should face trial but refrained from further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.

Wanjiru's family welcomed the news of the arrest warrant. "We have lived with the pain of Agnes’s death for over a decade," they said in a statement. "The reports that an arrest warrant has been issued against a UK citizen is a significant moment for us and is incredibly welcome."

Friends of Agnes Wanjiru have also spoken out, emphasizing the vulnerability of women in Nanyuki who faced financial hardship. "When women are financially desperate, they will do almost anything to survive," said one friend. Her friends expressed a desire for justice not only for Agnes but also for her daughter, who is now a teenager.

The case is next due to be mentioned in court in Nairobi on October 21.