Agnes Wanjiru's family slams UK Defence Secretary John Healey over delayed justice
Although a suspect was named nearly four years ago, no one has been arrested. Kenyan police have reportedly questioned witnesses in the UK and handed over a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but the case remains unresolved.
The family of Agnes Wanjiru, who was allegedly murdered by a British soldier in Nanyuki more than a decade ago, has criticised UK Defence Secretary John Healey for not delivering on his pledge to push forward investigations into her death.
Healey met Waniru's family in Nairobi in April 2025, offering condolences and reaffirming his commitment to helping them get justice.
Wanjiru went missing in March 2012 after last being seen with British soldiers at a bar in Nanyuki near the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) camp. Two months later, her lifeless remains were discovered in a septic tank at a hotel with multiple stab wounds.
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A Kenyan inquest held years later concluded that Wanjiru, a young mother, had been murdered by one or more British soldiers.
In 2021, former members of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment testified on the incident, with one soldier claiming that a colleague confessed to the killing and even showed him Wanjiru's body in the tank.
Although a suspect was named nearly four years ago, no one has been arrested. Kenyan police have reportedly questioned witnesses in the UK and handed over a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but the case remains unresolved.
According to Esther Njoki, Wanjiru's niece, the family feels let down by Healey's inaction since taking office, despite his earlier calls for action while in opposition. She added that his pledge now seems like a political move rather than a sincere commitment to help the family
"I think he just made a promise for his political gain. I think he's taking us for a ride," Njoki, who was only eight years old in 2012, told The Guardian.
"They hide behind investigation because every time we raise any issue, they say 'investigation, investigation', we don't know the status of the investigation."
Njoki, a communications student and the family's spokesperson, is currently raising money to travel to the UK to meet campaigners and push politicians to act.
"I want to come and lobby there, so that they can take this matter seriously because they know the family can't come to the UK to seek justice there," she said.
"They have power, but they have refused, and it's heartbreaking. Agnes was a human being. Now that she's not there, we are left to seek justice for her, with our hearts broken, being frustrated, and it's the worst thing."
Tessa Gregory, a partner at the law firm Leigh Day, which is representing the family, added that they want the UK government to take full responsibility by ensuring those involved are held accountable without further delay.
"It is now 13 years since Agnes' body was found in a septic tank, the Kenyan criminal investigation has been ongoing for years, and while the file was reportedly sent to the [Kenyan] DPP months ago, a charging decision is still awaited," she said.
"The family are frustrated with both the lack of progress in the criminal proceedings and the lack of engagement from the British government."
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