Thirteen years after the harrowing murder of Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki, Kenya, fresh momentum has gathered in the long-standing case. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has reopened the file and pledged its commitment to pursuing justice for Wanjiru’s grieving family.
On April 7, 2025, the ODPP confirmed it had received the inquiry file from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). A team of senior prosecutors has now been appointed to review the file thoroughly and provide legal recommendations on the next course of action. This marks a critical turning point in a case that has, for years, been defined by frustration, silence, and delay.
The ODPP acknowledged the painful lapse in time since Wanjiru’s death and recognized the impact it has had on her family. In a formal statement, the office emphasized that all decisions would be guided by Kenya’s Constitution and the 2019 Decision to Charge Guidelines. Ensuring justice for Wanjiru remains a top priority, and the public has been assured that any significant developments will be communicated as the case progresses.
The renewed focus on the case follows a significant diplomatic gesture from the United Kingdom. The UK’s Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, traveled to Kenya to meet with Wanjiru’s family in person. He offered condolences on behalf of the UK government and reiterated Britain’s commitment to supporting the investigation. Healey described the family’s unwavering resolve over the years as deeply moving and assured them of continued cooperation between UK and Kenyan authorities.
As part of the UK’s support, there have been collaborative efforts involving witness interviews in the UK and visits by British military crime officials to Kenya. Kenyan investigators have also traveled to the UK as part of this ongoing cooperation. The Defence Secretary is expected to hold talks with Kenya’s President to discuss the urgency of the matter and encourage faster progress.
During the meeting, Wanjiru’s family welcomed Healey’s visit but expressed deep skepticism rooted in years of disappointment. They emphasized that while they appreciated the gesture, what they truly need are concrete actions, not more promises. The family urged both governments to honor their commitments and take definitive steps toward resolving the case.
Wanjiru’s story has long haunted both Kenya and the UK. A 21-year-old mother at the time, she was last seen in March 2012 leaving a Nanyuki bar with soldiers from the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK). Nearly three months later, her decomposing body was found in a septic tank behind a hotel. The autopsy revealed she had been stabbed and mutilated, pointing to a brutal murder.
Despite a 2019 inquest in Kenya that concluded she had been murdered by British soldiers and recommended further investigation, no charges were ever brought forward. One soldier, only identified as “Soldier Y,” allegedly confessed to the killing to fellow troops, but the confession never resulted in any official action.
Frustrated by the lack of justice, Wanjiru’s family filed a petition in Kenya’s High Court in October 2023, accusing the government of negligence and failure to act. With the recent steps taken by the ODPP and renewed engagement from the UK, the family hopes that the long wait for justice may finally be nearing its end.
