Kenya issues arrest warrant for UK solider accused for killing Kenyan woman
(MENAFN) Kenya’s High Court has issued an arrest warrant for a British soldier accused of killing Kenyan woman Agnes Wanjiru, paving the way for potential extradition from the UK.
Justice Alexander Muteti granted the warrant on Tuesday following a request from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who stated that the suspect is currently in the UK and must be brought to Nairobi to face trial. The court has not disclosed the soldier’s identity.
"Following an application by DPP against the said suspect, this court grants the warrant of arrest as prayed," Muteti said, according to reports.
Agnes Wanjiru, 21, was killed in 2012, and her mutilated body was discovered in a hotel septic tank near the British Army Training Unit Kenya’s (BATUK) permanent base in Nanyuki. She had reportedly been missing for several weeks after spending an evening with British soldiers.
A 2019 Kenyan inquiry found British soldiers responsible for Wanjiru’s death and recommended further investigation. In 2021, a British soldier allegedly admitted involvement, but charges were not filed until now.
In November 2023, BATUK requested that the Kenyan High Court dismiss the lawsuit brought by Wanjiru’s family, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction. The issue of whether British soldiers are subject to Kenyan law has caused tensions between London and Nairobi. Other disputes, including claims of environmental violations by BATUK, have also triggered local protests.
Wanjiru’s family lawyer, Mbiyu Kamau, told reports that London had “not been cooperative,” accusing senior military officials of covering up the case and flying the suspect out of Kenya instead of turning him over to authorities. He added that the arrest warrant was issued “in a hideous way, without involving the family.”
Kamau previously stated that claims of British Army immunity from Kenyan prosecution are false. He emphasized that Kenyan courts have jurisdiction since the crime occurred in Kenya, asserting that “they [the British Army] are just playing around by claiming immunity.”
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