A Kenyan High Court has issued an arrest warrant for a British national suspected of murdering a 21-year-old woman more than a decade ago.
Agnes Wanjiru was killed in March 2012 and her body was discovered in a septic tank of a hotel in the central garrison town of Nanyuki nearly three months after she had allegedly spent an evening partying with British soldiers.
Justice Alexander Muteti stated that prosecutors had provided sufficient evidence to compel the suspect to appear before a Kenyan court for trial.
The lawyer representing Ms. Wanjiru's family, Kamau Mbiu, expressed optimism, stating that the ruling paves the way for the suspect's extradition from the UK.
We welcome it, but we urge greater transparency, as this remains a matter of public interest, Mr. Mbiu said.
The judge ordered that the identities of the accused and witnesses must remain confidential to protect the integrity of the trial.
A spokesperson for the UK government remarked, Our thoughts remain with the family of Agnes Wanjiru, and we remain committed to assisting them in securing justice. However, they declined to comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings.
The UK's Ministry of Defence is reportedly cooperating with the Kenyan investigation, which has stirred public outrage in the East African nation.
The family of Ms. Wanjiru, who left behind a young daughter, has tirelessly fought for justice over the years.
Ms. Wanjiru's niece, Esther Njoki, shared that while the warrant is a significant step, the extradition process may be lengthy.
The prosecution has confirmed that witnesses currently residing in the UK will be available to ensure the trial's progression.
The family's legal representative in the UK, Tessa Gregory, called on the British government to expedite the suspect's extradition to Kenya for trial.
