Agnes Wanjiru Murder: Family Learns by Chance That Extradition Proceedings Have Been Delayed

A 14-year-old Kenyan girl’s long-awaited journey to witness the UK extradition hearing for her mother’s alleged killer has been thrown into disarray after the court date was abruptly postponed to May 2027.

Stacy Wanjiru, whose mother Agnes Wanjiru was found murdered in Nanyuki fourteen years ago, had fundraised alongside her family to travel to London next month. They planned to attend a five-day hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court scheduled to begin in mid-November.

Instead, the family learned by chance through the British Embassy that the proceedings for former British soldier Robert James Purkiss have been delayed until May 24, 2027. No official explanation or advance communication was provided for the sudden change.

“We are very frustrated to hear that the extradition hearing in Agnes’ murder case has now been postponed,” said Esther Njoki, Wanjiru’s niece, who planned to accompany Stacy on the trip. “This will be 15 years since Agnes was murdered. We only discovered that there was a delay by chance as it was not officially communicated to us through any channel and no reason was given.”

Njoki added that the family had exercised patience and endured uncertainty for years, but felt their endurance was being taken advantage of. A UK court is expected to provide reasons for the delay next week.

The case dates back to March 2012, when 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru disappeared after spending an evening at a hotel in Nanyuki, located about 200 kilometres north of Nairobi. British soldiers were stationed in the area for military training at the time.

Her body was discovered nearly three months later hidden inside a hotel septic tank. She had suffered severe stab wounds to her chest and abdomen, leaving behind Stacy, who was only five months old.

A Kenyan inquest formally concluded in 2019 that Wanjiru was unlawfully killed by one or two British soldiers. Following years of campaigning, the Kenyan High Court issued an arrest warrant for a British national in September 2025 after prosecutors presented evidence justifying murder charges.

Purkiss, 38, was arrested in the United Kingdom last November following the Kenyan extradition warrant. He has remained remanded in custody since appearing via video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in February, while contesting his extradition to Kenya.

Despite the logistical and financial setback of the delayed hearing, Wanjiru’s family stated they would continue fundraising to enable Stacy and Njoki to make the trip to Britain when the proceedings finally take place next year. They have called on authorities to expedite the legal process and treat them with dignity.

During a visit to Kenya last year, former British Defence Secretary John Healey met with the grieving family and pledged his government's support for securing justice. While the UK government maintains its commitment to helping the family, it has declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.