Agnes Wanjiru murder: Family to wait longer for extradition of British soldier suspect
Agnes Wanjiru was reportedly killed by a British soldier in Nanyuki in 2012.
Photo credit: File | Nation
By Mercy Mwende
Correspondent
Nation Media Group
The family of Agnes Wanjiru will have to wait for six more months for the extradition hearing of a British soldier accused of her murder after the case, initially scheduled for next month, was postponed to May 24, 2027.
Speaking to Nation, the family said they learnt of the postponement by chance on Tuesday morning, despite having already made plans to travel to the United Kingdom on November 16 for the four-day hearing, following a fundraising drive.
The campaign, organised through M-Changa, sought to raise Sh1 million to cover travel, passports, visas and accommodation for Agnes' daughter Stacy Wanjiru and her cousin, Esther Njoki, to attend the extradition hearing at the Westminster Magistrates Court in London.
Agnes Wanjiru, who was found dead in 2012 after she went missing.
Photo credit: Pool
Njoki said that the family was shocked by the news since they were not officially informed of the delay and had received no explanation for the postponement.
"It is completely unacceptable because it will be 15 years since Agnes was brutally murdered. Our family has remained committed to pursuing justice through the appropriate legal channels. We have exercised patience and endured uncertainty for years, but our patience is now being taken advantage of,” she said.
Ms Njoki said the delay had prolonged the mystery surrounding the case, adding that Agnes' daughter, Stacy, deserved answers about what happened to her mother.
She demanded that the family be treated with dignity and informed about proceedings on the matter, while also urging the relevant UK and Kenya authorities to fast-track the process.
Esther Njoki 20, niece of the late Agnes Wanjiru, when she appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Defence Intelligence and Foreign Relations on September 3, 2024.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
No official reason has been provided for postponing the hearing.
However, communication shared with the family showed that the United Kingdom's Crown Court is expected to give reasons next week.
Ms Njoki said that among the possible explanations was that the delay could be linked to a request by one of the parties for more time to gather evidence or the availability of a judge to hear the four-day proceedings, although neither explanation has been confirmed.
She said the family would continue fundraising to enable them to travel to the UK when the hearing takes place next year.
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