Family, UK government react to arrest order against killer soldier

The late Agnes Wanjiru. [File, Standard] The family of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old hairdresser allegedly killed by a British soldier at the Lions Court Lodge in Nanyuki in 2012, has welcomed news that a warrant of arrest has been issued against her suspected killer. "The reports that an arrest warrant has been issued against a UK citizen is a significant moment for us and is incredibly welcome," said their lawyer, Carolin Ott of Leigh Day. The warrant was issued yesterday by Justice Alexander Muteti, with prosecutors Vincent Monda and Gikui Gichuhi confirming that they will initiate extradition proceedings in the UK to have the soldier tried in Kenya. In his ruling, Justice Muteti found sufficient basis to have the soldier charged with Wanjiru's murder. Wanjiru's family, through their lawyers Leigh Day, urged the British government to expedite the process to ensure the accused is brought to court. "We have lived with the pain of Agnes' death for over a decade. We hope this marks the beginning of justice being served for our beloved Agnes," said Ott. The family noted that it has been a long and painful fight for accountability spanning more than 10 years. "The family now calls upon the British Government to do everything in its power to ensure that the accused can be extradited and face trial in Kenya as soon as possible," added Tessa Gregory of Leigh Day. A 2018 inquest at the Nanyuki Law Courts, led by Magistrate Njeri Thuku, found that Wanjiru, a mother of a four-month-old baby, disappeared on the night of March 31, 2012. After her disappearance, friends and family searched the area and soon realised that Wanjiru may never have left the Lions Court Lodge after the night of merry-making. Her friends, who were with her that fateful evening, told the family they saw her in the company of two white men. On June 5, her body was discovered in the hotel's septic tank - a grim finding that fueled calls for accountability from the British government, as she was last seen with British soldiers. By the time her body was found, the soldiers who had been out partying that night had already returned to the UK. Kenyan police were accused of dragging their feet on the case, despite a post-mortem revealing stab wounds to Wanjiru's chest and abdomen. The report further indicated that Wanjiru may have been physically assaulted. An investigation by the UK newspaper The Sunday Times revealed that several soldiers from the accused's unit said he had confessed to killing Wanjiru. The newspaper also obtained Facebook messages in which some soldiers joked about the killing and the disposal of her body in the septic tank. The paper reported that one soldier had informed his superiors about the murder, but no action was taken. Following the issuance of the warrants by Justice Muteti, a UK government spokesperson said, "Our thoughts remain with the family of Agnes Wanjiru, and we remain absolutely committed to helping them secure justice." The spokesperson added that they would not comment further as the matter is before court. For the soldier to be extradited to Kenya, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) must submit a formal request to the UK government, supported by prima facie evidence linking the soldier to the crime. Kenya falls under Type B of the Extradition Act 2003, unlike the European Union and other countries with formal extradition treaties. The request will be submitted to the UK Central Authority, specifying that the extradition is to allow the soldier to face charges for an offence committed in Kenya.

Family, UK government react to arrest order against killer soldier

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