The former British soldier who stands accused of killing Kenyan woman Agnes Wanjiru back in 2012 has been named as Robert James Purkiss.
Purkiss joined the British Army in 2006, where he served as a medic with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.
Throughout his ten-year military career, he was stationed at various bases across the UK, including Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, Tidworth Barracks in Wiltshire, and Weeton Barracks in Blackpool.
Purkiss also went on several tours in Afghanistan before being sent to Kenya with the British Army Training Unit (BATUK) in 2012 for some warm-weather training exercises.
It was during this time in Kenya that 21-year-old Wanjiru tragically lost her life; reports from that period suggested she had been with members of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment at the Lion’s Court Hotel in Nanyuki.
Weeks later, her body, bearing stab wounds, was found in a septic tank close to the room where the soldiers had been stationed.
This case ignited outrage in both Kenya and the UK, with accusations that British military officials tried to cover up the murder.
As the story unfolded, more claims surfaced that a soldier from the regiment admitted to being involved but was hushed up when he attempted to speak out.
This comes just a week after the UK government responded to the High Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Purkiss.
In a short statement on Tuesday, September 16, a spokesperson for the UK government expressed condolences to Wanjiru’s family and reiterated Britain’s dedication to ensuring justice is served.
The spokesperson chose not to elaborate further, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.
“Our thoughts remain with the family of Agnes Wanjiru and we remain absolutely committed to helping them secure justice.
“We understand that the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions has determined that a British National should face trial in relation to the murder of Ms Wanjiru in 2012. This is subject to ongoing legal proceedings and we will not comment further at this stage,” the statement read.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has informed the High Court that the evidence collected ties Purkiss to the murder.
Following this, the DPP requested a warrant for arrest to initiate extradition proceedings.
Justice Alexander Muteti approved the request, stating that murder qualifies as an extraditable offense and that there is sufficient probable cause to bring murder charges against the accused.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) successfully secured an arrest warrant against a British National in relation to the 2012 murder of Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki. This follows an application made before the High Court at Nanyuki, presided over by Justice Alexander Muteti, who ruled that there is probable cause to institute murder charges against the accused. Murder is an extraditable offence under Kenyan law.
“The Office, represented by Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, OGW, and Head of the Homicide Division Gikui Gichuhi, confirmed that extradition proceedings will now be initiated to ensure the suspect is brought before a Kenyan court. The matter will be mentioned again on 21st October 2025 for further directions,” the ODPP said.
Agnes Wanjiru Murder Extradition
