NAIROBI, Kenya – UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey has met the family of Agnes Wanjiru, the Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by a British soldier in Nanyuki in 2012, calling the encounter “deeply humbling.”
Speaking after the meeting, Healey commended the family for their strength and resilience in their prolonged search for justice.
“In the 13 years since her death, they have shown such strength in their long fight for justice,” he said.
Healey reaffirmed the UK government’s support for the Kenyan-led investigation and pledged continued cooperation from British authorities.
“We will continue to offer our full support to the Kenyan investigatory authorities, which has included visits by Kenyan investigators to the UK to interview witnesses and of the Provost Marshal (Serious Crime) to Kenya,” he said.
The Wanjiru family, who have for years lamented a lack of progress in the case, expressed cautious optimism following the Monday meeting.
“We hope that our meeting with the Secretary of State marks the beginning of the UK government and Ministry of Defence taking decisive action to ensure that what happened to Agnes is properly investigated in Kenya and in the UK,” the family said in a statement. “We expect the UK and Kenyan governments to act and bring closure to this matter.”
The meeting comes just weeks after British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan met the family for a second time, following up on discussions from May 2024.
In both meetings, Wigan reiterated the UK’s commitment to cooperate fully with Kenyan investigators.
“The UK Government is working closely with the government of Kenya to accelerate progress,” read a statement from the High Commission.
It was deeply humbling to meet the family of Agnes Wanjiru today. In the 13 years since her death they have shown such strength in their long fight for justice.We will continue to offer our full support to the Kenyan authorities so the family can secure the justice they deserve
The UK’s Defence Serious Crime Command and Unit remain actively engaged with the Kenyan police “where appropriate.”
Agnes Wanjiru, 21, was last seen in the company of British soldiers at Lions Court Hotel in Nanyuki in 2012.
Her body was found two months later, dumped in a septic tank at the hotel.
A 2019 inquest concluded that she was “unlawfully killed,” and a judge found that British soldiers were responsible.
However, to date, no one has been convicted for the murder.
The case sparked renewed outrage in 2021 after UK media published leaked WhatsApp messages from soldiers of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, appearing to mock Wanjiru’s death using memes referencing murder, hotels, and septic tanks.
In 2023, a wide-ranging inquiry into abuse claims against British troops stationed in Kenya was launched, including allegations related to Wanjiru’s killing.
Critics have slammed the slow pace of the investigation and lack of accountability, with Wanjiru’s family repeatedly calling out what they describe as “empty promises” from both governments.
UK and Kenyan authorities are under increasing pressure to break the long-standing impasse and bring those responsible to justice.
