The family of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old woman whose body was found in a septic tank near a British Army base in Kenya, has spoken out against the ongoing lack of progress in the investigation into her death. Agnes vanished in March 2012, and her body was discovered two months later, sparking an investigation that has now stretched over 13 years.
The family recently met with Defence Secretary John Healey, who expressed his commitment to resolving the case, but they remain frustrated by what they describe as “too many empty promises” and “little progress” since the tragic discovery of Agnes’s body.
“We are grateful to the Secretary of State for Defence agreeing to meet with us, but we have waited for too many years and been offered too many empty promises,” the family said in a statement following the meeting. They also highlighted the profound impact Agnes’s death and the subsequent struggle for justice has had on their lives, adding, “The death of our beloved Agnes has had a profound and devastating impact on our family. It was not only the shock of losing Agnes at such a young age, but also the horrific circumstances in which her body was found.”
Reports indicate that a British soldier has confessed to the murder of Agnes Wanjiru, a sex worker who was allegedly killed near a British Army base. Despite the inquest in Kenya almost six years ago, which confirmed that British soldiers were responsible for her death, the family claims that no meaningful action has been taken since then.
In the meeting, Defence Secretary Healey assured the family of his “determination to see a resolution” and expressed the UK’s “full support” for the investigation. He also promised to raise the case with Kenyan President William Ruto during a meeting later that day, stressing the need to “accelerate progress” in the case.
“It was deeply humbling to meet the family of Agnes Wanjiru today,” Healey said. “In the 13 years since her death, they have shown such strength in their long fight for justice. I reiterated my determination to see a resolution to the still unresolved case. We will continue to offer our full support to the Kenyan investigatory authorities.”
The family remains hopeful that the meeting with the Defence Secretary will mark the beginning of meaningful action from both the UK and Kenyan governments to bring closure to the matter. They called for decisive action to ensure justice is served and that what happened to Agnes is never repeated.
