British Ex-Soldier Faces Extradition for Alleged Murder of Kenyan Woman
A former British soldier is facing extradition to Kenya in connection with the alleged murder of a 21-year-old woman, Agnes Wanjiru, in 2012.
Robert James Purkiss was arrested in Tidworth, Wiltshire, on November 6 and subsequently appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
He is accused of involvement in the killing of Wanjiru, whose body was discovered in a septic tank near a military training camp three months after she went missing on March 31, 2012.
Purkiss intends to contest the extradition and has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on November 14, where his legal team stated he vehemently denies the charge of murder.
Ms. Wanjiru's body was found approximately 124 miles north of Nairobi. At the time of her death, she was a mother to a five-month-old child, and her disappearance had raised significant concern among local communities.
Wanjiru was last seen alive at a bar frequented by British soldiers, including purportedly Purkiss, the night she vanished. Her family has been vocal in seeking justice following her tragic death.
Following her body’s discovery, relatives and Kenyan rights groups criticized the investigation, alleging a failure by the British Army and local authorities to address the incident adequately. An inquest in 2019 determined that Wanjiru had been unlawfully killed, highlighting serious concerns regarding military personnel's involvement.
In a statement, Wanjiru's niece expressed relief over Purkiss's arrest, marking a significant step towards obtaining justice: “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 which marks an important step towards finally obtaining justice for our beloved Agnes.”
In previous investigations, claims surfaced that a British soldier had confessed to the killing. As of 2024, the British Army announced an internal review into the conduct of soldiers in Kenya, fueled by allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, further complicating the case against Purkiss and highlighting issues of military accountability abroad.
