UK Defence Secretary meets Agnes Wanjiru’s niece as calls for justice intensify

The United Kingdom’s Defence Secretary John Healey has met the niece of the late Agnes Wanjiru, Esther Njoki, as the case against a British soldier accused of murdering Wanjiru in Nanyuki in 2012 continues to gain international attention.

The meeting held in London on Tuesday marks the second time a UK government minister has met with Wanjiru’s family since her death.

It comes weeks after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) directed that a British national face trial in connection with the killing.

In a statement issued by the British High Commission in Nairobi, Healey reaffirmed his government’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s efforts to secure justice for the family.

“Six months since our first meeting in Kenya, I was pleased to welcome the niece of the late Agnes Wanjiru, Esther Njoki, to London today, to reiterate our government’s steadfast support for her family’s long and painful fight for justice,” he said.

“I want to pay tribute to Esther, who is an extraordinary spokesperson for her family and for women who have suffered violence. We reflected on the significant progress made in recent months, with the case file being handed to the Director of Public Prosecutions in April and a charging decision being made last month. 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.”

Speaking after the meeting, Njoki described the emotional toll her family has endured over the years, expressing hope that the latest developments will bring them closer to justice.

“The loss of my beloved aunt, Agnes Wanjiru, has left a permanent scar on my family. It wasn’t just the pain of losing her – it is the years of silence, frustration and trauma we’ve endured trying to get justice since,” she said.

“Since my family last met with the Secretary of State, there has been a major development with a former British soldier having been charged with my aunt’s murder. This has given us a renewed sense of hope — but we are still far from achieving justice for Agnes. That’s why this meeting with the Secretary of State is crucial. We are urging him and the government to do everything in their power to ensure the man arrested is extradited to Kenya and faces trial without further delay.”

The meeting comes amid growing public pressure in both Kenya and the UK for accountability over Wanjiru’s killing.

Wanjiru’s murder has remained a point of contention between Nairobi and London for more than a decade.

Her body was found in a septic tank at a hotel near the British Army Training Unit in Nanyuki in March 2012. She was last seen alive with a British soldier who was later linked to the killing through witness accounts and internal army reports.

In April 2025, Defence Secretary Healey became the first UK government minister to meet Wanjiru’s family during an official visit to Kenya, marking a significant step in diplomatic engagement over the unresolved case.

The British High Commission now says the UK government will continue working closely with Kenyan authorities to ensure the matter is brought to a fair and transparent conclusion.