More than a decade after 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru was brutally murdered in Kenya, a court has issued an arrest warrant for a British national accused of involvement in her death. If extradited, it would mark the first time a serving or former British soldier faces trial abroad for killing a civilian – a step her friends say is long overdue.
Night Out Turns Tragic
On March 31, 2012, Agnes Wanjiru, a young mother of a five-month-old baby, asked her close friends to join her for a night out. Like many women her age, she wanted to relax and have some fun.
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Agnes, along with two childhood friends, first stopped at a bar called Sherlock’s in Nanyuki, a town located about 200 km north of Nairobi. The area was familiar with British soldiers, as the UK army has a permanent training base there.
Her friends recall that many white men, often called “Johnnies” by locals, were present in the bars. These soldiers were well-known in the community, though not always for good reasons.
Financial Struggles
Agnes’s friends say she struggled daily to provide for her daughter. With little financial help from the child’s father, she often relied on braiding hair or salon work to earn a living. On a good day, she earned just 300 Kenyan shillings – less than £1.
Sometimes, Agnes used clever ways to make money during nights out. She would let someone buy her a drink, then quietly ask the bartender to hand her the cash instead. Her friends insist she was not a sex worker but was simply desperate to support her child.
Last Seen With British Soldier
That night, Agnes appeared to argue with a white man at Sherlock’s bar. She told her friend to go ahead to Lions Court Hotel, promising to join them soon.
Later, Agnes arrived at the hotel and seemed in good spirits. She joked with her friends, danced, and even exchanged drinks for cash. Around midnight, one of her friends left, while the others saw Agnes leave with a white man. Some reports say she may have left with two men.
The next day, Agnes’s family grew worried when she did not return home. Her baby was still with a babysitter. Her friends reported her missing at the local police station.
Body Found in Septic Tank
For weeks, Agnes’s friends searched for her. A hotel watchman told them that a big fight had taken place in one of the rooms, and a window had been broken that night.
Nearly three months later, Agnes’s body was discovered in a septic tank near Lions Court Hotel. She had been stabbed. Her friends were devastated when they identified her remains at the mortuary.
Years of Delay and Cover-Ups
For years, little progress was made in the case. It was not until 2019 that Kenyan Judge Njeri Thuku concluded that Agnes had been murdered by one or two British soldiers.
Later, The Sunday Times reported that Agnes’s killing was an “open secret” among soldiers stationed in Nanyuki. The publication revealed that one soldier suspected of the murder was quietly removed from the army but has been living freely in the UK.
Friends Demand Justice
Agnes’s friends believe more than one man was involved in her death and that many others have covered up the crime.
“I believe many men know what happened,” one of her friends said. “For too long, they have kept silent.”
The recent arrest warrant in Kenya has reignited hopes that justice may finally be served. For Agnes’s family and friends, accountability is not just about punishment – it is about giving dignity to a young mother whose life was cut short.
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