The family of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by a former British soldier 14 years ago, has expressed outrage over the postponement of an extradition hearing for the accused until May 2027. Relatives described the delay as "completely unacceptable" and accused authorities of failing to keep them informed. Wanjiru's body was found in a septic tank near a British army training camp in Kenya in 2012.
Robert James Purkiss, the ex-British soldier, was arrested in the UK last November and is fighting extradition to Kenya to face trial for Wanjiru's murder. He denies the allegation. The extradition hearing was due to be held in London next month but has been postponed. Wanjiru's niece, Esther Njoki, stated that the family had learnt of the postponement through the UK embassy and had received no official explanation.
The family said it had already raised money and made arrangements to travel to the UK for the hearing, which was due to take place in three weeks. They are now calling on authorities to expedite the proceedings, warning that the latest postponement means the case will enter its 15th year without a trial. A UK court is expected to give the reasons for the hearing delay next week.
Wanjiru disappeared in March 2012 after spending an evening at a hotel in Nanyuki, about 200km north of Nairobi, where British soldiers were stationed for training. Her body was found nearly three months later in a septic tank at the hotel, with stab wounds to her chest and abdomen. She left behind a five-month-old daughter.
A Kenyan inquest concluded in 2019 that Wanjiru had been unlawfully killed by one or two British soldiers. In September 2025, a Kenyan High Court issued an arrest warrant for a British national after prosecutors presented evidence they said justified bringing murder charges. Purkiss' lawyers said he intended to contest his extradition to Kenya.
Purkiss appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in February via video link, where he was further remanded in custody. Last year, the then British Defence Secretary John Healey met Wanjiru's family during a visit to Kenya and pledged his government's support for efforts to secure justice.
The UK government has previously said it remains committed to helping the family, but would not comment on ongoing legal proceedings. The family deserves to be treated with dignity and kept informed about proceedings that profoundly affect their lives, according to Wanjiru's niece Esther Njoki.
Key points
- The extradition hearing for Robert James Purkiss has been postponed until May 2027.
- The family of Agnes Wanjiru has expressed outrage over the delay, which will make the case enter its 15th year without a trial.
- A Kenyan inquest concluded that Wanjiru was unlawfully killed by one or two British soldiers.
