The formal extradition of Robert James Purkiss, a British soldier accused of murdering Agnes Wanjiru in Nanyuki in 2012, has begun, the High Court has heard.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the request has been transmitted to the office of the Attorney General, which serves as Kenya’s central authority for extradition matters.
Appearing before Justice Alexander Muteti at the Milimani High Court on Tuesday, October 21, the DPP disclosed that documentation for the extradition of the soldier had been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General and officially received on October 9, 2025.
“As per our letter dated October 9, we forwarded two physical copies of the extradition request and a soft copy through the official email address to the UK authorities.”
“We confirmed receipt of one of the documents, which was stamped on October 13. We have initiated the extradition process and are now waiting for the Attorney-General to forward the request to the UK central authority,” Githuhi stated.
Justice Muteti said that extradition was a complex process involving diplomatic engagement between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
ODPP informed the court that evidence which had been gathered by investigators links the British national to the murder.
After which Justice Muteti ordered the prosecution to share the evidence they intend to rely on with Wanjiru’s family, cautioning them against disclosing it publicly.
The court ruled that the murder was an extraditable offense and that there was sufficient cause to proceed with charges against the suspect.
On September 26, the ODPP had informed the court that the suspect had been formally charged with the offence of murder but failed to attend court.
The court on that day issued a warrant of arrest for the soldier, scheduling the mention for October 21, 2025, to confirm compliance.
The British soldier was accused of murdering Wanjiru, a young mother and freelance hairdresser. Wanjiru disappeared on March 31, 2012, after last being seen at Lions Court Lodge in Nanyuki.
The extradition comes days after the United Kingdom (UK) Defense Secretary John Healy met Esther Njoki, the niece of slain Agnes Wanjiru, in London on October 15, following pressure for accountability for Wanjiku’s killing.
According to the statement by the UK government, Healey and Njoki discussed the progress made in the case, with the UK government assuring the family of their continued support for the investigation until a resolution is reached.
“Our Government will continue to do everything we can to support the Kenyan investigation, secure a resolution to this case and finally bring peace to Esther and her grieving family,” the statement read in part
