UK Defence Secretary John Healey meets Agnes Wanjiru's family

Wanjiru was allegedly killed by a British soldier, and her body dumped in a hotel septic tank two months after her disappearance following a night out with a group of soldiers. 

After meeting the family on Monday, Healey expressed his determination to see a resolution of the case that has seen the family seek justice 13 years on. 

“We will continue to offer our full support to the Kenyan investigatory authorities, which has included visits by Kenyan investigators to the UK to interview witnesses and of the Provost Marshal (Serious Crime) to Kenya,” said the Defence Secretary. 

Healey is expected to meet President William Ruto later today to discuss, among others, accelerating the progress of the murder inquest.  

“Our Government will continue to do everything we can to help the family secure the justice they deserve,” he said. 

Wanjiru’s family expressed gratitude in meeting the Defence Secretary, with hope that it is a step towards healing the trauma and struggle they have encountered in trying to seek justice and accountability for her death. 

“It is now more than 13 years since Agnes was killed and almost 6 years since a Kenyan inquest found that she had been murdered by British soldiers, yet so little progress appears to have been made since then,” they stated. 

The family said that in their 13-year wait for justice, they have been offered many empty promises. 

“We hope that our meeting with the Secretary of State marks the beginning of the UK government and Ministry of Defence taking decision action to ensure that what happened to Agnes is properly investigated in Kenya and in the UK and to make sure that what happened to Agnes never happens again. We expect the UK and Kenyan governments to act and bring closure to this matter,” said the family.