UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey offered to personally meet the family of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by a British soldier over a decade ago.
Heappey expressed deep empathy for the family’s pain during his visit to Kenya, emphasizing his willingness to discuss, sympathize, and understand their perspective.
Expressing understanding of the family’s anguish during an interview with the BBC he conveyed his willingness to assist the family.
“I absolutely understand their pain…I am happy to meet and discuss and sympathize and understand as best I can”.
Who was the woman?
Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old Kenyan woman, was allegedly murdered by a British soldier in 2012 at Lions Court Hotel in Nanyuki, Kenya
Her body was discovered in a septic tank two months after she disappeared.
The case sparked legal actions, diplomatic tensions, and calls for justice from both Kenyan authorities and Wanjiru’s family.
In addition, the family’s plea for justice was met with unfulfilled promises and delays, intensifying their pain over the years.
Prior response from the British Government
Despite an earlier suggestion for a meeting between British officials and Wanjiru’s family during a prior visit to Kenya, no such interaction occurred.
In October 2023, the family addressed an open letter to King Charles, expressing concerns that British officials seemed indifferent to the case and seeking a meeting during the monarch’s visit to Kenya.
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They expressed profound anguish and frustration over the lack of progress in holding those responsible for Wanjiru’s death accountable.
By then, the monarch had not undertaken his first state tour to Kenya, but preparations were underway.
Details of the letter addressed to King Chrales
Wanjiru’s niece Esther Njoki and the author of the letter, warmly welcomed Heappey’s offer, expressing gratitude and hope for justice to prevail this year.
Njoki has been vocal in her quest for justice. In the letter she voiced the family’s 12 years of enduring pain and frustration, highlighting unfulfilled promises from past visits.
“It is distressing to see authorities here doing so little. We sought help from both the UK and Kenyan governments, but even after reopening her case in 2021 nothing has been done. No soldiers have been charged.”
“Key witnesses are yet to be interviewed by police, and we worry time is running out. One of them, Moses Moiyare, passed away last July. It makes our hearts break because he saw the events of that day.”
“British officials don’t seem to care. Jane Marriott OBE, Britain’s last high commissioner to Nairobi, never came to see us. Defense minister James Heappey told the media he would meet our family in Kenya but did not follow through,” lamented Esther Njoki.
“That was so unfortunate because we were eager to meet him. It feels like they are playing games with us, even though we are not asking for special treatment.”
The British Defense Ministers Remarks
Heappey acknowledged that Kenya had not officially requested the extradition of suspects but assured the UK’s support for any such requests, including charging and extradition.
The Kenyan inquest, seven years after Wanjiru’s death, concluded that one or two British soldiers were responsible for her murder.
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In the face of allegations of a cover-up, Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations initiated an inquiry, yet no charges have been filed.
Heappey sympathized with the family’s frustration over the prolonged process, emphasizing that any meeting would not imply accepting culpability on behalf of the UK while the legal investigation continues.
