The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has confirmed the arrest of a British national in the United Kingdom (UK) in connection with the 2012 death of Kenyan national Agnes Wanjiru.
According to the DPP, the suspect was taken into custody following coordinated efforts between Kenyan and British authorities.
The arrest marks a significant step in efforts to pursue justice more than a decade after the incident.
In a statement, the DPP said the suspect is currently being held in police custody in the UK and is expected to appear before a London court on November 14, 2025, for a bail hearing related to Kenya’s extradition request.
A subsequent case management session has been scheduled for December 9, 2025.
“This development comes six weeks after we initiated formal extradition proceedings to ensure accountability in this 13-year-old case,” the statement read.
The DPP noted that the arrest followed a formal legal process, including an arrest warrant issued by a Nairobi court on September 16, 2025.
By October 9, 2025, all required extradition documents had been transmitted to the Office of the Attorney-General for onward submission to UK authorities.
Wanjiru, a 21-year-old mother and freelance hairdresser, disappeared on March 31, 2012.
Her body was found in a septic tank on June 5, 2012, sparking public outrage and calls for justice.
The DPP reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability and cooperation with international partners in pursuing the case.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions reiterates its resolve to work with international partners to hold those responsible fully accountable,” the statement added.
Earlier, on October 21, the High Court in Nairobi was informed that the process to extradite a UK national suspected in connection with Wanjiru’s death had formally commenced.
State Counsel Gikui Gichuhi, appearing before Justice Alexander Muteti, told the court that the Attorney-General’s Office, which serves as Kenya’s central authority in extradition matters, had received and was processing the DPP’s request for the suspect’s surrender.
During the brief court session, representatives of Wanjiru’s family expressed frustration over what they described as delays in the pursuit of justice since her disappearance and the subsequent discovery of her body.
They recalled that an earlier inquest had identified a British soldier in connection with the incident, but said progress in the prosecution had been slow.
“We have not heard from the prosecution that they are going to fast-track this process,” a family representative told the court, urging closer coordination between Kenyan and British authorities.
In response, the Office of the DPP clarified that the roles of victims and prosecutors in the case are distinct, but assured the family that efforts to conclude the matter were ongoing.
The prosecution further noted that extradition involves multiple legal and diplomatic steps across jurisdictions, which may take time to complete.
Justice Muteti acknowledged the update and observed that while Kenyan authorities have limited control over the UK process, the matter should not be unduly delayed.
He directed that the case be mentioned again on November 24, 2025.
