A Kenyan High Court has issued an arrest warrant for a British national suspected of murdering a 21-year-old woman more than a decade ago.
Agnes Wanjiru was killed in March 2012, and her body was later found in a septic tank of a hotel in the central garrison town of Nanyuki nearly three months after she had allegedly spent an evening partying with British soldiers.
Justice Alexander Muteti stated that prosecutors provided sufficient evidence to request the suspect's appearance before a Kenyan court for trial.
The lawyer representing Ms. Wanjiru's family, Kamau Mbiu, mentioned the ruling would pave the way for the suspect's extradition from the UK.
We welcome it, but we urge greater transparency as this remains a matter of public interest, Mbiu said.
The judge also directed that the identities of the accused and witnesses not be published to protect the trial's integrity.
A spokesperson for the UK government expressed condolences, reaffirming their commitment to helping the family of Agnes Wanjiru secure justice, while ensuring no further comments would be made due to ongoing legal proceedings.
The UK's Ministry of Defence has previously stated it is cooperating with the Kenyan investigation, which has sparked outrage in the East African nation.
The family of Ms. Wanjiru, who left behind a young daughter, has long sought justice, living near the British Army Training Unit in Kenya.
Ms. Wanjiru's niece described the warrant as a bitter-sweet moment, acknowledging that the extradition process could take time.
Prosecution has indicated that witnesses currently in the UK would be made available for trial, ensuring the proceedings could continue.
The family's legal representative in the UK has called upon the British Government to expedite the extradition of the accused.
