Robert James Purkiss, 38, appeared in a London court to contest extradition to Kenya, where he is wanted over the 2012 death of 21‑year‑old Agnes Wanjiru. The court heard Wanjiru was last seen leaving a hotel in Nanyuki on 31 March 2012; her body was found in a septic tank on 5 June and a post‑mortem reported a stab wound and collapsed lung. Prosecutors say soldiers reported an alleged confession and incriminating social‑media messages; Purkiss denies the charges and has MoD legal funding. The case has long fuelled diplomatic tensions between Kenya and the UK.
Ex‑British Soldier Fights Extradition in High‑Profile 2012 Killing of Kenyan Woman
Robert James Purkiss, 38, appeared in a London court to contest extradition to Kenya, where he is wanted over the 2012 death of 21‑year‑old Agnes Wanjiru. The court heard Wanjiru was last seen leaving a hotel in Nanyuki on 31 March 2012; her body was found in a septic tank on 5 June and a post‑mortem reported a stab wound and collapsed lung. Prosecutors say soldiers reported an alleged confession and incriminating social‑media messages; Purkiss denies the charges and has MoD legal funding. The case has long fuelled diplomatic tensions between Kenya and the UK.
02:57, 08.11.2025Politics
Ex‑British Soldier Fights Extradition Over 2012 Death in Kenya
A former British soldier, Robert James Purkiss, 38, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London to oppose extradition to Kenya where he is wanted on suspicion of the 2012 killing of 21‑year‑old Agnes Wanjiru.
Purkiss was arrested and remanded in custody after Kenyan authorities obtained an arrest warrant earlier this year. Prosecutors in Kenya say Wanjiru was last seen leaving a hotel in Nanyuki on the night of 31 March 2012 in the company of a soldier; she was reported missing on 2 April and her body was recovered from a septic tank on 5 June in a significantly decomposed condition.
At the hearing the court heard that a post‑mortem identified a stab wound to the lower abdomen and a collapsed lung. Lawyers for the UK Home Office told the court that fellow soldiers had informed Kenyan military police that Purkiss had allegedly confessed and sent messages about the death on Facebook; these accounts form part of the extradition request.
Purkiss's lawyer, David Josse, told the court his client "vehemently denies" the allegations. Mr Josse also said Purkiss has received legal funding from the UK Ministry of Defence. Judge Briony Clarke refused bail and ordered Purkiss to return to court on November 14.
Diplomatic and local context: The case has strained relations between Kenya and successive UK governments and remained unresolved for years. Britain maintains a permanent army training presence near Nanyuki, an arrangement that brings economic benefit to the area but has also attracted scrutiny over alleged misconduct by some personnel.
Sources: National Crime Agency, court reports and Kenyan prosecutors.