A former British soldier has been charged with the murder of a 21-year-old woman who was stabbed to death more than a decade ago.
Agnes Wanjiru was killed in March 2012 and her body later found in a septic tank of a hotel in Nanyuki after she had allegedly spent a night partying with British soldiers.
The mysterious death sparked outrage in Kenya and her family have long been fighting for justice.
But in a major development, a former British soldier from the Duke of Lancaster regiment, the northwest’s infantry regiment, was charged this morning at the high court in Nairobi.
Justice Alexander Muteti revealed that prosecutors have provided sufficient evidence to request the suspect be hauled before a Kenyan court for trial.
The Kenyan government is expected to now begin proceedings to extradite the soldier to face trial in Kenya.
The extradition of an ex-British soldier for a murder committed on foreign soil, while on duty in that country, is unprecedented.
A document from the Kenyan high court seen by The Times states: ‘The court is hereby informed by the director of public prosecutions on behalf of the republic that the above named accused person is charged with the following offence.’
Agnes Wanjiru, 21, (pictured) was last seen alive with British troops at a hotel in Nanyuki in March 2012
The particulars of the offence read: ‘[Name of the soldier], on the night of March 31/1 April 2012 at Lions Court Lodge in Nanyuki within Laikipia County, murdered Agnes Wanjiru Wanjiku.’
The identities of the accused and witnesses cannot be published for legal reasons.
Ms Wanjiru was last seen with British soldiers on a night out in the Lion’s Court hotel in her home town on March 31 2012.
She vanished that night until her body was found dumped inside a septic tank at the hotel about three months later. She had a five-month-old daughter at the time of her disappearance.
Ms Wanjiru had been stabbed near her waist and had suffered a broken arm and leg. Pathologists later suggested these injuries may not have been fatal – raising the prospect she was still alive when she was dumped in the tank.
Her body was found just 50 yards from rooms which, according to hotel records, had been booked by British soldiers.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
