Charting the investigation into Agnes Wanjiru's death as former soldier faces extradition to Kenya
On 6 November 2025, the National Crime Agency (NCA) announced that Robert James Purkiss, who formerly served as a medic with the Duke of Lancaster's regiment, had been arrested in connection with the murder of Agnes Wanjiru.
The 38-year-old is set to become the first former or serving British Army soldier to be extradited to face trial abroad for murder.
BFBS Forces News traces the timeline of events in the long-running investigation into the death of the 21-year-old Kenyan woman.
March 2012
Ms Wanjiru was last seen alive in the town of Nanyuki, about 124 miles (200km) north of Nairobi.
She was sighted at the Lion's Court Hotel, a well-known night-time haunt frequented by British soldiers stationed at the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk).
June 2012
The body of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru is found inside a septic tank, near the hotel.
On the night she died, she had reportedly been at a bar with friends where British soldiers were also present.
The 21-year-old, a part-time hairdresser, left behind a five-month-old baby.
2018
For years, Ms Wanjiru's family had alleged that the British Army hid the truth about her death, while Kenyan authorities neglected to carry out a thorough inquiry.
Together with Kenyan rights and feminist groups, the family continued to demand justice, prompting Kenyan authorities to open an inquest into her death.
2019
The inquest determined that Ms Wanjiru had sustained stab wounds to her chest and abdomen and had been unlawfully killed by one or two British soldiers.
Due to the condition of her body, it was unclear whether she had been sexually assaulted.
October 2021
A Sunday Times investigation reports that a British soldier, referred to as Soldier X, had confessed to colleagues that he killed Ms Wanjiru.
Despite at least one soldier reporting the confession to higher command, the Army carried out no inquiry at the time, and their superiors questioned none of the soldiers present.
November 2022
The MOD implements a "zero tolerance" policy banning British soldiers from engaging in transactional sex abroad, including in Kenya.
The then UK Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker, said in a statement that the Army was committed to stopping sexual exploitation by those in its ranks.
April 2023
Kenyan MPs vote to amend a defence agreement with Britain after allegations that troops training there committed serious crimes.
It meant UK soldiers could now be tried for murder, among other grave offences, committed against Kenyans in Kenya.
This issue came under scrutiny after the lack of progress in the investigation into Ms Wanjiru's death.
October 2024
Following an ITV investigation, the Army announced an internal review into the conduct of British soldiers in Kenya, including in Nanyuki.
The film presents allegations that some British soldiers at Batuk continued to engage in exploitative and abusive behaviour despite the 2022 ban.
It found 35 suspected incidents involving soldiers in acts of sexual exploitation and abuse, including transactional sex with local women, nine of which reportedly occurred after the official ban.
April 2025
Defence Secretary John Healey meets with the family of Agnes Wanjiru in Kenya to offer condolences and discuss the investigation into her death.
In the first meeting between a UK government minister and a member of Wanjiru's family, Mr Healey expressed his "determination to see a resolution to this still unresolved case".
September 2025
After determining there is sufficient evidence to compel a former British soldier to appear before the court, Kenyan High Court Judge Alexander Muteti issues an arrest warrant for the charge of murder.
Welcoming the ruling, a statement issued on behalf of Ms Wanjiru's family, by law firm Leigh Day, said: "The reports that an arrest warrant has been issued against a UK citizen is a significant moment for us.
"We hope this marks the beginning of justice being done for our beloved Agnes."
November 2025
Robert James Purkiss is arrested by specialist officers from the National Crime Agency's National Extradition Unit.
The 38-year-old, who served in the British Army from 2006 to 2016, told Westminster Magistrates' Court in London that he did not consent to being extradited.
Representing Purkiss, David Josse said the former soldier "vehemently denies" the charge of murder and has received funding from the Ministry of Defence to support his case.
A court hearing on 7 November was told that a colleague of Purkiss saw him crying outside the Lions Court Hotel at the time of the alleged murder, and when asked why he was crying, he said: "I've killed her."
It also heard that in 2018, Purkiss allegedly reacted with a smiling face emoji when a colleague shared a photo of himself outside the Lions Court Hotel in Nanyuki, captioned "if you know, you know," with a reference to the septic tank.
Judge Briony Clarke rejected his bail application and ordered him to appear before the court again on 14 November.
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