NANYUKI, KENYA – A former British soldier, Robert James Purkiss, 38, arrested on suspicion of the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru, allegedly confessed to the killing to his colleagues, a London court has heard. During an extradition hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday, November 7, 2025, prosecutors stated that Purkiss told one fellow soldier "it was sex that went wrong" and was seen by another crying and saying, "I've killed her." Purkiss, who appeared in court, denies the allegations and is contesting his extradition to Kenya to face murder charges.

The arrest by the UK's National Crime Agency on Thursday, November 6, 2025, marks a major breakthrough in a case that has strained diplomatic relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom for over a decade. Wanjiru, a 21-year-old mother and hairdresser, was last seen alive on March 31, 2012, at the Lion's Court Hotel in Nanyuki, in the company of British soldiers. Her body was discovered two months later in a septic tank on the hotel's property, close to the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) base. A post-mortem examination found she had been stabbed and beaten, and may have been alive when placed in the tank.

A Thirteen-Year Wait for Justice

For more than a decade, Wanjiru's family has campaigned relentlessly for justice, alleging a cover-up by the British military. A 2019 Kenyan inquest concluded that Wanjiru was murdered by British soldiers, but no charges were brought forward for years, causing widespread outrage in Kenya. The case gained renewed momentum following a 2021 investigation by The Sunday Times, which named a suspect based on accounts from former soldiers. Some of these soldiers alleged they were told to maintain silence about the incident.

The recent legal action follows the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Kenyan High Court on September 16, 2025, and a formal extradition request. Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) welcomed the arrest as a "significant development" resulting from coordinated efforts between Kenyan and British authorities and reiterated its commitment to holding those responsible accountable.

Implications for Kenya-UK Relations

The case has become a focal point in discussions about the conduct of British troops in Kenya and the terms of the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) that governs their presence. Kenyan lawmakers have previously insisted that the Wanjiru case must be resolved before the renewal of the agreement, which allows up to six UK infantry battalions to train in Kenya annually. The UK government has stated that since the alleged crime was committed while the soldier was not on official duty, Kenya holds jurisdiction under the DCA. If extradited, Purkiss would be the first former or serving British soldier sent abroad to stand trial for the murder of a civilian.

During the court hearing, prosecutors also presented evidence of Facebook messages from 2018, where former members of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment allegedly joked about the murder. One soldier reportedly posted a picture of the hotel with the caption "If you know you know," referencing the septic tank, to which Purkiss allegedly responded with a smiling emoji. Purkiss's lawyer, David Josse KC, stated his client "vehemently denies" the murder charge. The court denied bail, and Purkiss was remanded in custody until a further bail hearing scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2025, EAT. The family of Agnes Wanjiru, represented by her niece Esther Njoki, expressed profound relief at the arrest, calling it a crucial step towards finally achieving justice.