Kenyan court seeks British soldier's arrest over young mother's murder

A Nairobi court issued an arrest warrant on Tuesday for a British citizen in connection with the high-profile death of a young Kenyan mother whose body was found in a septic tank over a decade ago.

Agnes Wanjiru, 21, died in 2012 after she reportedly went partying with British soldiers at a hotel in central Nanyuki town, where Britain has a permanent army garrison.

The Office for the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said it had informed the court "that evidence gathered links the suspect, a United Kingdom citizen, to the murder".

Nairobi High Court judge Alexander Muteti said there was "probable cause to order the arrest of the accused and his surrender before this court for his trial", granting a warrant for "one citizen and resident of the United Kingdom."

Extradition to Kenya

Following the judge's ruling, the ODPP said in a statement on X that "extradition proceedings would now be initiated to ensure the suspect is brought before a Kenyan court."

Wanjiru's sister, Rose Wanyua Wanjiku, 52, welcomed the announcement and told AFP: "Let justice prevail".

"As a family we are very happy because it has been many years but now we can see a step has been made," she said.

A spokesperson for the British government acknowledged the DPP had "determined that a British National should face trial in relation to the murder of Ms Wanjiru in 2012."

Senior team of prosecutors to review case