Earth Science News
AFRICA NEWS
UK defence minister meets family of murdered Kenyan woman
UK defence minister meets family of murdered Kenyan woman
by AFP Staff Writers
Nairobi (AFP) April 7, 2025

Britain's defence minister met on Monday the family of a young Kenyan mother who was found dead in 2012 after last being seen with a British soldier, as he stressed the need to "accelerate progress" in the case.

The high-profile case caused shock in the east African country and Agnes Wanjiru's family have long urged the UK government to open a "proper investigation" into her death.

The 21-year-old was found in a septic tank after she reportedly went partying with British soldiers at a hotel in central Nanyuki town, where Britain has a permanent army garrison.

After the first meeting of a British government minister with the family, Defence Secretary John Healey said in a statement that it was "deeply humbling".

Healey will meet Kenyan President William Ruto later on Monday and said he would "emphasise the need to accelerate progress in this case".

The case has been in limbo for years. Kenyan investigations have struggled while the former UK government stonewalled media allegations the army knew about the incident and did nothing.

Healey -- who claimed while in opposition that the previous government was "sitting on their hands" -- reiterated his "determination to see a resolution to the still unresolved case".

He said Britain would continue to offer "full support to the Kenyan investigatory authorities", adding: "Our government will continue to do everything we can to help the family secure the justice they deserve."

- Hearings postponed -

Following the Labour Party's victory over the Conservatives in Britain's elections last year, Wanjiru's family said it was pressing for progress on the case.

Her family said on Monday that while they were grateful for the meeting, attended by elder sister Rose Wanyua and other relatives, they had "waited for too many years and been offered too many empty promises".

They urged the Kenyan and UK governments to act to "bring closure to this matter" and ensure "what happened to Agnes never happens again".

In October 2021, The Sunday Times reported that a soldier had confessed to his comrades to killing Wanjiru and showed them her body.

The report alleged that the murder was taken to military superiors, but no further action followed.

A Kenyan investigation was opened in 2019 but no results have been disclosed, and public hearings due in 2024 were postponed.

At the time of the Sunday Times report, a Labour spokesman told the newspaper the party would "of course" begin an inquiry if it took power.

Since Kenya gained independence in 1963, Britain has kept a permanent army base near Nanyuki around 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of the capital Nairobi.

The British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK) is an economic lifeline for many in Nanyuki but has proved a lightning rod for criticism.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AFRICA NEWS
Detained Burkina journalists seen at anti-jihadist front line
Abidjan (AFP) April 3, 2025
Three journalists arrested over criticism of Burkina Faso's military government junta have appeared in a video, saying they are at the front line to "cover the reality" of the battle against jihadist attacks. The government last week dissolved the Burkina Journalists' Association (AJB), a day after police arrested its president, Guezouma Sanogo, and his deputy, Boukari Ouoba. The arrests came after Sanogo criticised "attacks on the freedom of expression and the press" in the west African countr ... read more

AFRICA NEWS
Crops under threat as surprise March heatwave hit Central Asia: study

New insights reveal how social dynamics drove the rise of agriculture

Technology developed by MIT engineers makes pesticides stick to plant leaves

EU unveils plans to help wine sector; France says China grants delay over cognac duties

AFRICA NEWS
Kazakh lawmaker calls for regulation to protect Caspian Sea

Macron vows to defend science as host of UN oceans summit

Deep-dive dinners are the norm for tuna and swordfish, MIT oceanographers find

Deep sea mining impacts visible for 'many decades'

AFRICA NEWS
Experts warn 'AI-written' paper is latest spin on climate change denial

Morocco 'water highway' averts crisis in big cities but doubts over sustainability

Dutch climate group says suing top bank ING

SEC ends US companies' need to release climate impact data

AFRICA NEWS
Optical advances offer boost to next-generation solar module designs

Study links solar surge to evening price hikes for fossil energy

Seven universities unite to propel solar projects over California canal system

Modi to kick off construction of India-Sri Lanka solar plant

AFRICA NEWS
Tunisian startup turns olive waste into clean energy

Airlines cast doubt on EU sustainable fuel targets

Eco friendly low-cost energy storage system from pine biomass

Why Expanding the Search for Climate-Friendly Microalgae is Essential

AFRICA NEWS
Like 'living in hell': Quake-hit Mandalay monastery clears away rubble

Lessons and liquids: buried alive in Myanmar's earthquake; Ceasefire declared

Civilians act to bring aid to Myanmar earthquake victims

Chinese developer under scrutiny over Bangkok tower quake collapse

AFRICA NEWS
Yemen's Huthis say one killed in fresh strikes blamed on US

China discovers major new oilfield off Shenzhen

Rubio warns Venezuela of force if it attacks oil-rich Guyana

Just Stop Oil activist group says to stop climate protest stunts

AFRICA NEWS
Trump orders end to duty-free relief for small parcels from China

How Trump's 'liberation day' tariffs will impact China

Stocks extend global rout after Trump's shock tariff blitz

Stocks tank, havens rally as Trump tariffs fan trade war

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.