The UK arrested former soldier Robert James Purkiss, 38, after Kenya requested his extradition over the 2012 death of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was found in a septic tank near a British training camp. A 2019 Kenyan inquest concluded she had been murdered and implicated soldiers; Kenya issued a formal extradition request in September. Purkiss appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court and was remanded until 14 November; his lawyer says he 'vehemently denies' the allegation and has received Ministry of Defence funding for his defence. The case has provoked public anger in Kenya and raised questions about the impact of defence arrangements on accountability.
Ex-British Soldier Fights Extradition to Kenya Over 2012 Death of Agnes Wanjiru
The UK arrested former soldier Robert James Purkiss, 38, after Kenya requested his extradition over the 2012 death of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was found in a septic tank near a British training camp. A 2019 Kenyan inquest concluded she had been murdered and implicated soldiers; Kenya issued a formal extradition request in September. Purkiss appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court and was remanded until 14 November; his lawyer says he 'vehemently denies' the allegation and has received Ministry of Defence funding for his defence. The case has provoked public anger in Kenya and raised questions about the impact of defence arrangements on accountability.
06:39, 08.11.2025Politics
Former soldier appears in London as Kenya seeks extradition in 2012 killing
A former British soldier has appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London after being arrested in connection with the 2012 death of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru near a UK army training camp in Kenya.
Kenyan authorities issued an arrest warrant in September and formally requested the extradition of the suspect following a 2019 inquest in Kenya that concluded Wanjiru was murdered after last being seen with a group of British soldiers at a hotel in Nanyuki. Her body was discovered in a septic tank at the Lion's Court Hotel.
The United Kingdom's National Crime Agency (NCA) said specialist officers arrested the man, identified as Robert James Purkiss, 38. The NCA said Purkiss appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court for extradition proceedings to begin and was remanded in custody until his next hearing on 14 November.
Purkiss's lawyer, David Josse, said the defendant 'vehemently denies' the allegation. Mr Josse also said the UK Ministry of Defence has provided funding towards his client's legal representation.
The long-running case has prompted anger and calls for justice in Kenya. Wanjiru's family and human rights groups say delays and a defence cooperation agreement between the UK and Kenya have complicated accountability and shielded alleged perpetrators from prosecution.
At the 2019 inquest, a Kenyan magistrate concluded the 21-year-old—then a single mother to a four-month-old baby—had been beaten and stabbed and was probably still alive when she was dumped into the septic tank. These findings have underpinned Kenya's extradition request, though the allegation has not been tested in a UK or Kenyan criminal trial for the suspect arrested in London.
Diplomatic and local context
The case strained relations between Kenyan authorities and the previous UK government. The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK), based near Nanyuki roughly 200 kilometres north of Nairobi, has been a significant local employer and economic contributor but has also faced criticism amid allegations of misconduct and incidents involving unexploded ordnance.
Purkiss, described in court as a married father of two, told magistrates he does not consent to extradition. The matter will proceed through the UK extradition process, during which a court will consider the Kenyan request and any legal arguments opposing transfer.
What happens next: Extradition proceedings at Westminster Magistrates' Court will continue, with the next appearance scheduled for 14 November. If the court decides to extradite, further legal and diplomatic steps would follow before any trial in Kenya.