The family of a Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by a former British soldier 14 years ago has expressed outrage after being told an extradition hearing for the accused had been postponed until May 2027. Relatives of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was discovered in a septic tank near a British army training camp in Kenya in 2012, described the delay as completely unacceptable.
Extradition Delay and Family Reaction
Robert James Purkiss was arrested in the UK last November and is fighting extradition to Kenya to face trial for the murder of the 21-year-old mother. He denies the allegation, and his hearing was originally scheduled to take place in London next month.
Wanjiru’s niece, Esther Njoki, told BBC News that the family had learnt of the postponement through the UK embassy and had received no official explanation. In a statement reported by BBC News, she stated that they had exercised patience for years but felt their patience was now being taken advantage of.
The family stated that they had already raised funds and made travel arrangements to go to the UK for the hearing, which was supposed to happen in three weeks. They are now urging authorities to speed up the proceedings, noting that the postponement means the case will enter its 15th year without a trial.
According to the family, a UK court was expected next week to provide the reasons for the hearing delay.
Case Background and Legal Proceedings
Wanjiru vanished in March 2012 following an evening at a hotel in Nanyuki, situated approximately 200 kilometers north of Nairobi, where British soldiers were stationed for training purposes. Her body was recovered nearly three months later inside a hotel septic tank bearing stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, leaving behind a five-month-old daughter.
A Kenyan inquest determined in 2019 that she was unlawfully killed by one or two British soldiers. Later in September 2025, a Kenyan High Court issued an arrest warrant for a British national after prosecutors presented evidence supporting murder charges.
Lawyers representing Purkiss stated that he intends to contest his extradition to Kenya. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in February via video link and was further remanded in custody.
During a visit to Kenya last year, the then British Defence Secretary John Healey met Wanjiru’s family and promised government support for achieving justice. The UK government has previously stated its commitment to assisting the family while declining to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
