A FORMER British soldier posted in Africa has been accused of killing a Kenyan mum who was found dead in a septic tank.
Cops have issued an arrest warrant for Robert James Purkiss, 38, who worked as a combat medic and infantryman.
FacebookRobert James Purkiss faces extradition to Kenya to face trial for the murder of Agnes Wanjiru[/caption]
Social Media Agnes Wanjiru was found dead in a septic tank near a Brit army camp[/caption]
AFPSister Rose Wanjiru (L) reacts as she sits outside her residence with a relative looking at photos of Agnes[/caption]
He now faces an extradition to Kenya to face trial for the murder of Agnes Wanjiru.
The Brit dad-of-two, from the Greater Manchester area, served in the British Army for 10 years from 2006.
He is now wanted for the murder of Ms Wanjiru, whose death sparked massive outrage in Kenya.
The mum was last seen alive partying with British troops at a hotel in Nanyuki in March 2012, when Purkiss was posted in the country.
Just days later, her mutilated, naked body was found in a septic tank not too far away from a Brit army base.
During an inquest into her death, a Kenyan court found that she was murdered by one or more British soldiers.
It has charged Purkiss, who was previously a part of the Duke of Lancaster regiment, with murder – which is unprecedented.
Judge Alexander Muteti confirmed that sufficient evidence has been found to request that the suspect be produced in front of the court.
He will become the first British serviceman ever to be extradited to a foreign country for the murder of a civilian if the case proceeds.
Esther Njoki, the spokesperson for Agnes Wanjiru’s family said: “We are happy that finally, after a long wait and frustration, the government has begun to act, although it has taken a long time.
“We have a ray of hope that now the family will be served justice.”
Purkiss currently lives near Salisbury and is understood to be working as a home computer support technician, according to The Daily Mail.
Authorities found that Ms Wanjiru had multiple stab wounds around her waist and had suffered a broken arm and leg.
Her body was found just 50 yards from rooms which, according to the Lion’s Court hotel records, had been booked by British soldiers.
The hotel was popular with British soldiers based at an army training camp in Nanyuki, 125 miles north of the capital, Nairobi.
In October 2021, The Sunday Times reported that a soldier had confessed to his comrades to killing Wanjiru and showed them her body.
The report alleged that the murder was reported to military superiors, but there was no further action.
Long road to justice
A breakthrough in the case came after a 13-year campaign for justice led by Agnes’s family, who met UK Defence Secretary John Healey in April.
Mr Healey said: “We will continue to offer our full support to the Kenyan authorities.
“Our Government will continue to do everything we can to help the family secure the justice they deserve.”
Agnes – from a poor Kenyan background – subsidised her income by selling sex for money and had a five-month-old daughter Stacey, at the time of her death.
An inquest heard that Wanjiru had last been seen leaving the bar with one or more British soldiers.
EPAKenyan sex workers hold placards and shout slogans in the streets of Majengo slums during their continued protests against the murder of Agnes Wanjiru[/caption]
EPAA general view of the main entrance of the Lion’s Court Lodge[/caption]
A suspect was named by several soldiers who at the time were attached to the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment following a probe in 2021.
Kenyan detectives have flown to the UK several times to question soldiers and ex-soldiers who were in Nanyuki at the time of the murder.
Lawyers are expected to begin drafting a timeline for the proposed extradition in October.
A UK government spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Agnes Wanjiru and we remain absolutely committed to helping them secure justice.
“We understand that the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions has determined that a British National should face trial in relation to the murder of Ms Wanjiru in 2012.
“This is subject to ongoing legal proceedings and we will not comment further at this stage.”
AFPMbiyu Kamau, advocate representing Wanjiru, pictured in court pictured in court with her family[/caption]