Kinoti reveals names of UK soldiers in Agnes Wanjiru murder case

Police investigating the murder of Agnes Wanjiru nine years ago have narrowed down to 14 British soldiers present at the scene of crime.

The soldiers are Kgn Thornborrow J, Kgn McKenna LJ, Cpl Byrne SC, Sgt Higgins ST, Kgn Bradshaw KA, Kgn Giles DP, A Coy and Armitage AJ, Coy.

Others are Kgn Hendry Liam Robert, Kgn Redford James William, Kgn Soens Ryan Paul, Sgt Creighton Daniel, Kgn Thornton Daniel John and Kgn Smith Karl Erick.

The revelation was made by Director of Criminal Investigation George Kinoti on Thursday before a parliamentary committee.

Police believe the 14 are persons of interest in unearthing the nine-year-old murder of Wanjiru, then aged 21.

According to the country’s top sleuth, the soldiers hold critical information that would help in identifying the soldier who killed her on the night of March 31, 2012.

The officers, who had long left the country, were established as physically present at the Lions Court Lodge in Nanyuki town where the mother of one was last seen alive.

Kinoti told the session, chaired by Saku MP Dido Raso, that Wanjiru walked into the hotel at about 2pm in the company of female friends identified as Florence Nyaguthii Mugo and Susan Nyambura.

“Being a weekend, there were several revellers at the hotel including British soldiers, some in their uniform and others in ordinary clothing,” Kinoti said.

According to Kinoti, a British Army soldier in uniform approached Wanjiru who was at the time seated in the bar area. The two started engaging each other.

“Few minutes thereafter, the deceased and the British soldier in uniform went to the dancing floor and the two had a good time dancing,” he narrated.

At around 2am on April 1, 2012, a police account showed that Nyambura stepped out of the bar to get fresh air leaving Wanjiru and the soldier having a good time on the dance floor.

“While outside, Susan Nyambura saw the deceased and a British soldier in uniform going towards the guest room’s direction within the precincts of the Lions Court Lodge,” the DCI boss narrated.

“When the deceased spotted her friend Susan, she stopped and shortly engaged her before proceeding with the British Army soldier towards the guest house’ direction never to be seen again.”

Wanjiru never returned home on April 1, 2012 and a search was mounted since she had left behind a five-month-old infant.

After almost three months of searching, Wanjiru's decomposing body was found on June 5, 2012 by a gardener who was cleaning the manholes and waste disposal pipes at the facility.

“In the process of cleaning, he lifted the grate of the septic tank and saw human legs floating while the remainder of the body was submerged. The body was dressed only in a bra and had a packet of unused condoms tucked inside the bra,” Kinoti said.

Investigators believed that the soldier must have had accomplices who helped carry the body to the septic tank.

The DCI boss told the House committee that his officers from the elite Homicide Unit are ready to travel to the United Kingdom to conclude investigations into the brutal murder.

What is holding the unit is a communication from the UK authorities, which are yet to respond to a request by the Attorney General’s office for mutual legal assistance.

"Immediately we will receive the communication, our team will travel to the UK to interview the suspects," Kinoti said.

Kenyan witnesses will also travel alongside the police unit to help identify the soldiers.

The country's top spy said his team is expecting a confession from the UK suspects or denial, which will then mean going through the trial process.

"We may get a confession, which may be easier for us, because we will have to airlift the suspect. In the event there will be confession, we will still airlift the suspect back and the relevant procedures will follow," the DCI boss said.

He also exuded confidence that the UK authorities will help in expatriation of the suspects to Kenya to face trial.