Earth Science News
AFRICA NEWS
UK defence minister meets family of murdered Kenyan woman
UK defence minister meets family of murdered Kenyan woman
by AFP Staff Writers
Nairobi (AFP) April 7, 2025

Britain's defence minister met on Monday the family of a young Kenyan mother who was found dead in 2012 after last being seen with a British soldier, as he stressed the need to "accelerate progress" in the case.

The high-profile case caused shock in the east African country and Agnes Wanjiru's family have long urged the UK government to open a "proper investigation" into her death.

The 21-year-old was found in a septic tank after she reportedly went partying with British soldiers at a hotel in central Nanyuki town, where Britain has a permanent army garrison.

After the first meeting of a British government minister with the family, Defence Secretary John Healey said in a statement that it was "deeply humbling".

Healey will meet Kenyan President William Ruto later on Monday and said he would "emphasise the need to accelerate progress in this case".

The case has been in limbo for years. Kenyan investigations have struggled while the former UK government stonewalled media allegations the army knew about the incident and did nothing.

Healey -- who claimed while in opposition that the previous government was "sitting on their hands" -- reiterated his "determination to see a resolution to the still unresolved case".

He said Britain would continue to offer "full support to the Kenyan investigatory authorities", adding: "Our government will continue to do everything we can to help the family secure the justice they deserve."

- Hearings postponed -

Following the Labour Party's victory over the Conservatives in Britain's elections last year, Wanjiru's family said it was pressing for progress on the case.

Her family said on Monday that while they were grateful for the meeting, attended by elder sister Rose Wanyua and other relatives, they had "waited for too many years and been offered too many empty promises".

They urged the Kenyan and UK governments to act to "bring closure to this matter" and ensure "what happened to Agnes never happens again".

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 taken to military superiors, but no further action followed.

A Kenyan investigation was opened in 2019 but no results have been disclosed, and public hearings due in 2024 were postponed.

At the time of the Sunday Times report, a Labour spokesman told the newspaper the party would "of course" begin an inquiry if it took power.

Since Kenya gained independence in 1963, Britain has kept a permanent army base near Nanyuki around 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of the capital Nairobi.

The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) is an economic lifeline for many in Nanyuki but has proved a lightning rod for criticism.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AFRICA NEWS
Burkina junta critic arrested in growing crackdown: civil group
Abidjan (AFP) April 4, 2025
Burkina Faso authorities arrested a member of a civil society group critical of the country's military rulers, the organisation said Friday, the latest of numerous detentions targeting the junta's critics. The organisation, the Patriotic Front, said in a statement that officials identifying themselves as intelligence officers detained its deputy secretary general Romuald Yaro on March 30 at his workplace in the capital Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso has seen numerous kidnappings of people viewed as c ... read more

AFRICA NEWS
Lessons and liquids: buried alive in Myanmar's earthquake; Ceasefire declared

Nearly 100 dead in Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse

Finland's colossal bomb shelters a model for jittery Europe

Civilians act to bring aid to Myanmar earthquake victims

AFRICA NEWS
Kazakhstan discovers its 'largest' rare earths deposit

Scientists build novel quantum material from two extreme compounds

Metamaterials enable ultra-efficient mechanical energy storage

Biomass satellite prepped for launch fuel load

AFRICA NEWS
Canadians in Great Lakes city bristle at Trump water threats

The Metals Company courts Trump for deep-sea mining contract

Once-dying Mexican river delta slowly nursed back to life

Companies keen to start deep-sea mining off Norway

AFRICA NEWS
Yana, a 130,000-year-old baby mammoth, goes under the scalpel

Yana, a 130,000-year-old baby mammoth, goes under the scalpel

Rubio reaffirms 'strong' US relationship with Denmark at meeting

Melting ice, more rain drive Southern Ocean cooling

AFRICA NEWS
Crops under threat as surprise March heatwave hit Central Asia: study

Mapping the Earth's crops

New insights reveal how social dynamics drove the rise of agriculture

EU unveils plans to help wine sector; France says China grants delay over cognac duties

AFRICA NEWS
Volcano in Philippines sends ash miles into the air

5.0-magnitude quake hits Taiwan: USGS

Missing girl found lifting Argentina floods death toll to 17

DR Congo president meets irate Kinshasa flood victims

AFRICA NEWS
Mali separatist rebel commander arrested in Niger

Detained Burkina journalists seen at anti-jihadist front line

UK defence minister meets family of murdered Kenyan woman

Herd of animal puppets treks from Africa to Europe in climate action

AFRICA NEWS
Thailand rescue dogs double as emotional support

Colombia's lonely chimp Yoko finds new home in Brazil

Beijing simplifies marriages to encourage Chinese to wed

When did human language emerge?

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.