A Kenyan court has issued an arrest warrant for a UK national after a woman’s body was found in a septic tank near a British army base.
A British soldier is suspected of murdering 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in 2012, according to an inquest that concluded in Kenya in 2018.
Agnes’ body was found behind a hotel in Kenya in Nanyuki in March 2012 – two months after her disappearance.
She was a hairdresser who also worked as a sex worker and had a five-month-old daughter named Stacey, according to Kenyan media reports.
Agnes was last seen with British soldiers stationed in the market, Kenya, according to the inquest.
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A post-mortem examination found Agnes had died from stab wounds to her chest and abdomen. There was also evidence she had been beaten.
It was unclear whether she had been sexually assaulted due to the condition of her body.
A British soldier has confessed to Agnes’s murder, according to reports.
The arrest warrant, issued by high court judge Alexander Muteti today, says a suspect must appear before a court charged with murder.
The victim’s family, who pressed police to reopen the case in 2021, have welcomed the arrest warrant.
‘We have lived with the pain of Agnes’ death for over a decade,’ they said in a statement issued on Tuesday by law firm Leigh Day.
They added: ‘The reports that an arrest warrant has been issued against a UK citizen is a significant moment for us and is incredibly welcome.
‘We hope this marks the beginning of justice being done for our beloved Agnes.’
Earlier this year, the defence secretary, John Healey, met Agnes’ family in Kenya and pledged the UK’s ‘full support’ for the investigation.
‘It was deeply humbling to meet the family of Agnes Wanjiru today,’ Healey said in April.
‘In the thirteen years since her death, they have shown such strength in their long fight for justice. I reiterated my determination to see a resolution to the still-unresolved case.’
A UK Government spokesperson said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the family of Agnes Wanjiru and we remain absolutely committed to helping them secure justice.
‘We understand that the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions has determined that a British national should face trial in relation to the murder of Ms Wanjiru in 2012.
‘This is subject to ongoing legal proceedings and we will not comment further at this stage.’
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