Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has welcomed the arrest and detention of Robert James Purkiss, a former British soldier accused of murdering Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki over a decade ago a case that has strained diplomatic relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
The 38-year-old was remanded in custody by a British court after his arrest on Thursday, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed. Purkiss is wanted in Kenya over the 2012 killing of 21-year-old Wanjiru, whose body was discovered in a septic tank two months after she was last seen at a Nanyuki hotel where British soldiers were partying.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the ODPP hailed the development as a “significant milestone” in the long-running pursuit of justice for Wanjiru and her family.
“This arrest marks the result of an extensive and coordinated effort between the British and Kenyan authorities. The ODPP reiterates its unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for Agnes Wanjiru and her family, working closely with international partners to ensure full accountability,” the office stated.
The case resurfaced in 2021 when British media reports alleged that fellow soldiers knew of the murder and even joked about it online, prompting widespread outrage in both countries and renewed calls for justice.
In September 2025, a Nairobi High Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Purkiss, paving the way for extradition proceedings. Kenyan prosecutors said they would formally request his transfer to face trial in Kenya.
Purkiss appeared before a British court on Friday, where he refused to consent to extradition, according to reports by the Press Association. His application for bail was denied, and the judge ordered him to remain in custody until his next court appearance on November 14.
The arrest reignites hopes among Wanjiru’s family and human rights advocates that the long-delayed case will finally move toward resolution, underscoring the growing international cooperation between Kenyan and British judicial systems.
