High Court issues arrest warrant for British suspect in Agnes Wanjiru's murder
The late Agnes Wanjiru before she died. Photo/Courtesy
In a major development more than a decade after the brutal killing of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki, the High Court in Nairobi has issued an arrest warrant against a British national suspected of her murder.
The decision follows a successful application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which told the court it now has new and compelling evidence linking the suspect to the crime.
Appearing before Justice Alexander Muteti on Tuesday, the ODPP, represented by Acting Deputy Director Vincent Monda and Head of Homicide Division Gikui Gichuhi, argued that the available evidence established probable cause to charge the UK citizen with the murder of Ms. Wanjiru, who was last seen alive in the company of British soldiers on the night of March 31, 2012.
Justice Muteti, in granting the application, ruled that murder is an extraditable offence and that there were sufficient legal grounds to initiate extradition proceedings.
The court scheduled the matter to return on October 21, 2025, for further directions.
“This is a significant step toward justice for Agnes Wanjiru and her family,” said Mr. Monda outside the courtroom.
“We now have the legal basis to begin formal extradition processes to ensure the suspect is brought before a Kenyan court.”
Agnes Wanjiru, a young mother and freelance hairdresser, was last seen alive at the Lions Court Lodge in Nanyuki, where British soldiers were reportedly staying during a training exercise. She disappeared on the night of March 31, 2012.
Nearly two months later, her decomposing body was discovered in a septic tank at the same lodge, triggering national outrage and renewed debate about the conduct of foreign military personnel stationed in Kenya.
A 2019 inquest led by Nanyuki Principal Magistrate Njeri Thuku concluded that Wanjiru was murdered by one or more British soldiers. The court heard disturbing testimony, including reports of blood and a broken mirror in the room she was last seen entering.
Despite the ruling, no suspect was ever charged—until now.
In 2021, UK-based journalists reignited interest in the case. A Sunday Times investigation revealed that multiple British soldiers had knowledge of the crime, with one allegedly confessing to the killing and showing fellow soldiers the body.
These revelations sparked public pressure in both Kenya and the United Kingdom.
In April 2025, Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) concluded its reinvestigation into the murder and handed over the case file to the ODPP.
Following a legal review, prosecutors moved to court to request an arrest warrant for a named British national, now believed to be the prime suspect.
According to court documents seen by Avdelta News, the prosecution’s case includes testimonies from over 20 British soldiers, forensic links to the crime scene, and official postmortem findings indicating that Wanjiru was stabbed multiple times.
Tuesday’s court ruling sets the stage for a rare international legal process: the extradition of a foreign military officer to face trial in Kenya for a crime allegedly committed on Kenyan soil.
In a gesture of goodwill earlier this year, UK Defence Secretary John Healey visited Nairobi and met with Wanjiru’s family.
He pledged his government's commitment to supporting Kenya’s justice system and welcomed the reopening of the case.
Now that an arrest warrant has been issued, Kenya will have to formally request extradition from British authorities—a process that could take months and will likely be closely scrutinized in both countries.
Back in court, Justice Muteti emphasized the importance of cooperation between Kenyan and UK authorities to ensure the suspect is brought to justice.
The next court session on October 21 is expected to outline the extradition roadmap and clarify any logistical or diplomatic hurdles.
Agnes Wanjiru’s case has long symbolized the broader struggle for justice among ordinary Kenyans affected by the presence of foreign troops.
For over 13 years, her family has called for accountability, and Tuesday’s ruling marks the clearest sign yet that justice may finally be within reach.
Avdelta News will continue to follow this story and provide updates on the extradition process and the court proceedings ahead.
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