Family of Agnes Wanjiru demands justice for murder by soldier

In Kenya, a tragic case of murder that has evoked strong feelings and calls for justice has been brought back into the public eye. Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old mother, was last seen alive on March 31, 2012, when she entered a room with a British soldier at the Lions Court Hotel in Nanyuki, north of Nairobi. Her lifeless body was later discovered in a septic tank. Reports indicated that she had multiple stab wounds, and a postmortem examination raised disturbing questions about her death, suggesting that she may have been alive when placed in the tank. Furthermore, the long-standing allegations have led to claims of a cover-up by the British Army and the Ministry of Defence. The suspected soldier's identity remains undisclosed, despite being known to both British Army and Kenyan police authorities, and this secrecy has been a point of contention for Wanjiru’s family. They have expressed significant frustration regarding the ongoing lack of progress in securing justice for their daughter. Recently, John Healey, the UK's Defence Secretary, met with Wanjiru's family and acknowledged their concerns, stating that very little progress appears to have been made to resolve the case since the investigation began. The Wanjiru family is now taking legal steps to force the Ministry of Defence to reveal the name of the soldier suspected of murder, emphasizing their desire for accountability and truth surrounding their daughter's tragic death. This case has highlighted larger issues of military accountability and the challenges families face in seeking justice against armed forces personnel suspected of serious crimes.