LONDON, UK – A former British soldier, Robert James Purkiss, 38, was arrested in Wiltshire, England, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in connection with the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki, Kenya. The arrest, carried out by the UK's National Crime Agency's National Extradition Unit, represents a major breakthrough in a case that has for over a decade symbolized a painful quest for justice and accountability for the conduct of British troops in Kenya.

Purkiss appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Friday, November 7, 2025, where extradition proceedings formally began. He stated his intention to contest the extradition to Kenya. The court denied his application for bail, remanding him in custody until a further bail hearing scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2025, East Africa Time. The arrest follows a formal warrant and extradition request issued by Kenyan authorities in September 2025, a move championed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

A Thirteen-Year Wait for Justice

Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old mother, was last seen alive on March 31, 2012, in the company of British soldiers at the Lion's Court Hotel in Nanyuki. Her body was discovered two months later, on June 5, 2012, in a septic tank on the hotel's property. A post-mortem examination revealed she had died from stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, with evidence suggesting she had also been beaten.

For years, the investigation stalled, causing immense pain for Wanjiru's family and sparking outrage in Kenya over perceived impunity. A significant turning point came in 2019, when a Kenyan inquest concluded that Wanjiru had been unlawfully killed by one or more British soldiers. Despite this finding, no charges were immediately forthcoming, deepening frustrations. The case gained renewed international attention following a 2021 investigation by The Sunday Times, which reported that a soldier had allegedly confessed the killing to his comrades, who were then told to maintain silence by superiors.

During the recent court hearing in London, prosecutors detailed some of the evidence against Purkiss. Home Office lawyer Joel Smith KC told the court that Purkiss had allegedly confessed to fellow soldiers. One soldier reportedly saw him crying on the night of the murder, stating, "I've killed her." Another colleague claimed Purkiss told him "it was sex that went wrong" and showed him Wanjiru's body in the septic tank. The court also heard about 2018 Facebook messages where former members of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment allegedly joked about the killing, with Purkiss reportedly responding with a "smiling face emoji" to a post referencing the hotel and the septic tank. Purkiss's lawyer, David Josse KC, stated his client "vehemently denies" the murder charge.

BATUK, Nanyuki, and a History of Controversy

The Wanjiru case has cast a harsh spotlight on the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), which has maintained a permanent base in Nanyuki for decades. While BATUK is a significant local employer, its presence has been marred by numerous allegations of misconduct and human rights violations. In March 2024, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) presented a report to the National Assembly detailing over 40 unresolved cases of alleged abuses by BATUK personnel, including killings, sexual abuse, and environmental damage. These include a massive fire at the Lolldaiga Conservancy in 2021, allegedly caused by lethal chemicals used in training exercises, which affected some 5,000 locals. There are also numerous accounts of mixed-race children fathered and abandoned by British soldiers, leaving them in a state of legal and social limbo. These long-standing grievances have fueled a perception that the defence cooperation agreement between Kenya and the UK has shielded British soldiers from accountability under Kenyan law.

The Road Ahead: Extradition and Trial

The arrest has been met with profound relief by Wanjiru's family, who have campaigned tirelessly for justice. Her niece, Esther Njoki, who travelled to the UK in October 2025 to press for action, said in a statement: "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."

The legal process ahead involves navigating the extradition agreement between the UK and Kenya, which falls under the Commonwealth's 'London Scheme'. Kenyan High Court Judge Alexander Muteti has instructed the ODPP to provide monthly updates on the extradition's progress. Should Purkiss be extradited, he will face a murder trial in Kenya, a landmark case that will be closely watched by the public and human rights advocates both locally and internationally. The UK government has stated its commitment to cooperating with Kenyan authorities. For the family of Agnes Wanjiru and the community in Nanyuki, this arrest is not the end of the road, but a long-awaited and crucial step towards closure and accountability.