NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan criminal investigation team has announced the completion of their inquiry into the 2012 death of a young mother, last seen with British soldiers during their training stint in the country.
The public prosecutor’s office confirmed receipt of the investigative findings, mobilizing a group of senior prosecutors to scrutinize the details of the case. Agnes Wanjiru, 21, was discovered lifeless in a septic tank in Nanyuki town, located north of Mt. Kenya, weeks following her last sighting with the soldiers.
Wanjiru’s family has voiced frustration over persistent delays in achieving justice, as no individuals have been brought to court over her demise.
Recently, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey engaged with Wanjiru’s family, committing to assist them in obtaining the “justice they deserve.” Healey expressed his admiration for the family’s resilience over the past 13 years, dedicated to securing justice for their loved one. He affirmed ongoing support for the Kenyan authorities in this matter.
Healey also indicated plans to converse with Kenya’s President, William Ruto, stressing the importance of speeding up proceedings related to the case.
After meeting Healey, Wanjiru’s family conveyed their gratitude, acknowledging his visit amid a long trail of unmet promises. The family expressed hope that the U.K. and Kenya would collaborate effectively to resolve the issue.
The daughter Wanjiru left behind, who was only five months old at the time of her mother’s disappearance, is now 13, being raised by her grandmother and aunt.
The British military maintains a permanent presence of about 200 personnel in Kenya, involved primarily in training over 1,000 Kenyan soldiers annually, who are then deployed to neighboring Somalia to combat the al-Shabab militant group linked to al-Qaida.
In support of this military partnership, the British government annually contributes over 1.1 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately $9.6 million). However, concerns have been raised by Kenyan citizens about the treatment of local communities and environmental management in areas used for military training.