A Kenyan High Court has issued an arrest warrant for a British national suspected of murdering a 21-year-old woman, Agnes Wanjiru, over a decade ago. Wanjiru's body was discovered in March 2012, nearly three months after going missing, in a septic tank at a hotel in Nanyuki, where she had reportedly spent an evening with British soldiers.
Justice Alexander Muteti stated that prosecutors provided ample evidence for the suspect's need to appear in court. The lawyer representing Wanjiru's family, Kamau Mbiu, expressed hope that the ruling would facilitate the suspect's extradition from the UK.
We welcome it, but we urge greater transparency, as this remains a matter of public interest, Mbiu noted, underlining the significance of the case. The judge further instructed that the identities of both the accused and witnesses remain undisclosed to safeguard the trial's integrity.
A UK government spokesperson indicated their commitment to assisting Wanjiru's family in achieving justice, reflecting the UK's cooperation with ongoing investigations. The murder case has stirred considerable discontent within Kenya, especially regarding suspected military involvement.
Wanjiru, a mother of a five-month-old baby at the time of her death, is remembered by her family who have been persistent in their quest for justice. Wanjiru's niece described the arrest warrant as a bitter-sweet moment, acknowledging that the extradition process could be lengthy. Nonetheless, prosecutors ensured that witnesses in the UK would be available, paving the way for a trial.
Legal representatives from the UK, including Tessa Gregory, emphasized the need for the British government to expedite the extradition process.
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