Kenyan Family Alleges Cover-up in 2012 Murder of Woman by British Soldiers

The family of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old woman allegedly murdered by a British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) officer in 2012, has levelled accusations against Kenyan investigative agencies for impeding their quest for justice.

These allegations were brought to light during a recent National Assembly's Defence Committee session. Esther Muchiri, speaking on behalf of Wanjiru's family, provided testimony to the committee, asserting that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are collaborating with the British government to conceal the identity of the implicated soldier. Muchiri expresses frustration with the prolonged investigation, stating that after 12 years, the claim of ongoing investigations is unacceptable. She urged the committee to advocate for the extradition of the soldier involved.

The Defence Committee, under the leadership of Chairperson Nelson Koech, is currently scrutinizing BATUK's conduct in Laikipia and Samburu counties. During this inquiry, Wanjiru's family detailed their ongoing struggles with the investigation process. Muchiri highlights the financial barriers preventing them from seeking justice in the UK, questioning whether poverty should determine their access to justice. Kelvin Kubai, the family's legal representative, criticizes the lack of progress despite court orders for DNA testing. He questions why the UK government has not cross-referenced DNA samples with their database of British soldiers present in Kenya at the time of Wanjiru's death.

Kubai also points out a troubling pattern of the British Army evading accountability for serious crimes. Defence Committee Member Millie Odhiambo proposes that the British government contribute to a victim protection fund as a gesture of goodwill and to address the legacy of colonialism. She emphasizes the need to alleviate the burden of both colonial and neo-colonial injustices. The case of Agnes Wanjiru has been a source of contention since her body was discovered in a septic tank at a Nanyuki hotel in 2012, two months after her disappearance.

Despite a Kenyan inquest concluding that she had been unlawfully killed by British soldiers, no charges or convictions have been made. The case gained renewed attention in 2021 when leaked screenshots from a private Facebook group allegedly showed soldiers joking about Wanjiru's murder. The Kenyan government has faced criticism for its handling of the investigation, with accusations of collusion and obstruction. The Defence Committee's inquiry into BATUK's conduct is part of a wider effort to address these issues, examining not only Wanjiru's case but also the overall behaviour and accountability of foreign military personnel stationed in Kenya.