Kenya orders arrest and extradition of British soldier accused in 2012 murder of Kenyan woman.

A Kenyan court has ordered the arrest and extradition of a British national suspected of murdering 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki in 2012, after her body was found in a septic tank near a British military site. Wanjiru, a hairdresser and sex worker, disappeared after being seen with British soldiers. A 2019 inquest found she was beaten, stabbed, and likely alive when dumped. A 2021 investigation identified a soldier, known as “Soldier X,” who allegedly confessed to the crime and shared details with colleagues, some of whom mocked her online. Initially, the UK claimed Kenyan courts lacked jurisdiction, but a 2023 parliamentary vote changed that. Kenya launched an inquiry, gathered evidence, and confirmed probable cause for arrest. Extradition proceedings are underway, with a hearing set for October 21, 2025. Wanjiru’s family welcomed the move but said justice is not yet complete. The case could be the first instance of a British soldier extradited to face trial abroad for a civilian murder.