The family of a Kenyan woman murdered 14 years ago by a British soldier has expressed anger after the extradition hearing for the accused was postponed until May 2027.
The relatives of Agnes Wanjiru, whose body was discovered in a septic tank near a British army training camp in Kenya in 2012, called the postponement “completely unacceptable” and criticised authorities for failing to keep them informed.
The hearing for Robert James Purkiss, a former British soldier accused of murdering the 21‑year‑old mother, was scheduled for next month but has now been delayed until May 2027. Purkiss, arrested in the UK last November, is contesting extradition to Kenya to stand trial for murder and denies the charge.
Esther Njoki, Agnes Wanjiru’s niece, said the family learned of the postponement through the UK embassy and received no official explanation.
“We have shown patience and endured uncertainty for years, but now our patience is being taken advantage of,” she said in a statement.
“Agnes deserves justice. Her daughter Stacy deserves answers about what happened. And as a family, we deserve to be treated with dignity and kept informed about proceedings that profoundly affect our lives,” the statement added.
The family said it had already raised funds and made travel arrangements to attend the hearing in the UK, which was scheduled for three weeks later.
They are now urging authorities to speed up the proceedings, warning that the latest delay will bring the case into its 15th year without a trial.
The family said a UK court is expected next week to issue its reasons for the hearing delay.
Agnes Wanjiru disappeared in March 2012 after an evening at a hotel in Nanyuki, about 200 km (124 mi) north of Nairobi, where British soldiers were stationed for training.
Her body was found nearly three months later in a septic tank at the hotel. She had sustained stab wounds to her chest and abdomen and left behind a five‑month‑old daughter.
A Kenyan inquest concluded in 2019 that she had been unlawfully killed by one or two British soldiers.
In September 2025, a Kenyan High Court issued an arrest warrant for a British national after prosecutors presented evidence they said justified bringing murder charges.
Purkiss’s lawyers said he intends to contest extradition to Kenya.
The 38‑year‑old former soldier appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in February via video link, where he was remanded in custody.
Last year, then British Defence Secretary John Healey met Agnes Wanjiru’s family during a visit to Kenya and pledged his government’s support for efforts to secure justice.
The UK government has previously said it remains committed to helping the family, but declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.