More than a decade after the tragic death of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru, Kenyan authorities announced Monday that they have concluded a long-delayed criminal investigation into her killing — a case that has strained relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
Wanjiru, a young mother, was last seen alive in 2012 leaving a bar in Nanyuki town, north of Mt. Kenya, with a group of British soldiers who were in the country for joint military training exercises.
Her body was discovered weeks later in a septic tank at a nearby hotel.
Kenya’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed that it has now received the investigation file from the police and assembled a senior team of prosecutors to review it for possible legal action.
The announcement came as U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey visited Wanjiru’s family in Kenya. In a statement shared on social media platform X, Healey said:
“It was deeply humbling to meet the family of Agnes Wanjiru today. In the 13 years since her death, they have shown such strength in their long fight for justice.”
Healey emphasized the U.K.’s commitment to cooperating fully with Kenyan authorities.
“We will continue to offer our full support… I will emphasise the need to accelerate progress in this case when I meet with President William Ruto,” he said.
The family, who for years have criticized the lack of accountability, expressed cautious optimism following the meeting.
In a statement through the British embassy, they said they had been “offered too many empty promises” in the past, but appreciated the latest show of commitment.
Wanjiru’s daughter, who was only five months old at the time of her mother’s death, is now 13 and has been raised by her grandmother and aunt.
The case has raised broader concerns about the presence and conduct of British troops in Kenya. Roughly 200 U.K. military personnel are permanently stationed in the country, training more than 1,000 Kenyan soldiers annually for deployment to Somalia to fight the al-Qaida-affiliated extremist group al-Shabab. Britain invests over approximately $9.6 million each year into the partnership.
However, some Kenyans have questioned the environmental and social impact of British military operations on local communities. The death of Agnes Wanjiru has become a flashpoint in those debates.
While no charges have yet been filed, the conclusion of the investigation signals a possible turning point in a case that has haunted the Wanjiru family and remained a symbol of unfulfilled justice.
