Kenyan family furious over murder trial delay

The family of Agnes Wanjiru has rejected a postponement of the extradition hearing for Robert James Purkiss, the former British soldier accused of murdering her in Kenya fourteen years ago. Relatives described the decision to delay the proceedings until May 2027 as completely unacceptable. The hearing had been scheduled for early November but has been pushed back by several months.

Wanjiru’s niece, Esther Njoki, stated that the family learned of the change through the UK embassy without any official explanation. The family had already raised funds and booked travel to attend the hearing, which was originally set to begin in three weeks. Njoki said the delay takes advantage of years of patience and uncertainty endured by the relatives.

"Agnes deserves justice. Her daughter Stacy deserves answers about what happened. And as a family, we deserve to be treated with dignity and kept informed about proceedings that profoundly affect our lives," Njoki said. The family is now urging authorities to expedite the legal process, noting that the case will enter its 15th year without a trial due to the latest setback.

Purkiss, 38, was arrested in the UK in November and remains in custody. He denies the murder charge and is fighting extradition to face trial in Kenya. His lawyers have indicated he intends to contest the move. A UK court is expected to provide reasons for the delay next week.

Wanjiru disappeared in March 2012 after staying at a hotel in Nanyuki, a town roughly 200 kilometers north of Nairobi where British troops were stationed. Her body was discovered in a septic tank at the hotel nearly three months later. She had sustained stab wounds to her chest and abdomen and left behind a five-month-old daughter.

A Kenyan inquest in 2019 concluded that Wanjiru was unlawfully killed by one or two British soldiers. In September 2025, a Kenyan High Court issued an arrest warrant for a British national after prosecutors presented evidence supporting murder charges. Purkiss appeared via video link at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in February, where judges remanded him in custody.

Last year, British Defence Secretary John Healey met with Wanjiru’s family during a visit to Kenya. He pledged government support for their pursuit of justice. The UK government has stated it remains committed to assisting the family but declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.