Regulation

Meeting Between UK Defence Secretary and Agnes Wanjiru’s Family

The family of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan woman who was killed over a decade ago, has requested that the United Kingdom government ensure the arrest and extradition of the suspect. British Defence Secretary John Healey met with Esther Njoki, Wanjiru’s niece and family spokesperson, to discuss this matter.

Wanjiru’s body was discovered in a septic tank in Nanyuki in 2012, following her disappearance after being seen with British soldiers. A Kenyan High Court issued an arrest warrant for a British national accused of her murder. Prosecutors announced plans for an extradition request.

The recent meeting marked the first interaction between Healey and the Wanjiru family since the court’s decision. Healey expressed the UK government’s commitment to supporting the investigation and assisting in resolving the case.

UK Military Presence in Kenya

The British military maintains approximately 200 personnel in Kenya, primarily involved in training over 1,000 Kenyan soldiers annually for operations against al-Shabab in Somalia. The UK government invests over 1.1 billion Kenyan shillings ($9.6 million) annually in this partnership.

There have been concerns among Kenyans regarding the conduct of British forces towards local residents and their environmental impact. In June, a British soldier was arrested in Kenya following a rape accusation. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that all personnel receive mandatory training and briefings on conduct, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for unacceptable behavior.