Kenya issues arrest warrant for British national over young mother's murder

A Kenyan High Court has released an arrest warrant for a British national convicted of murdering a 21-year-old woman more than a decade ago. Agnes Wanjiru was killed in March 2012 and her body was discovered in a septic tank of a hotel in Nanyuki's central garrison town, just over three months after she had reportedly spent an evening partying with British soldiers. Prosecutors had sufficient evidence to warrant the defendant's arrest and conviction in Nairobi, according to Justice Alexander Muteti. The judge, who appeared for Ms Wanjiru's family, Kamau Mbiu, told the BBC that the decision opened proceedings for the suspect's extradition from the United Kingdom.

We applaud it, but we insist on greater transparency because this is a matter of public concern,

Mr Mbiu said. The judge ordered that the names of the accused and witnesses not be revealed, saying that this was necessary to protect the trial's credibility.

Our thoughts remain with the families of Agnes Wanjiru, and we remain completely committed to helping them obtain justice,

a UK government spokesperson said in a tweet.

No further comment will be made at this time because of pending court hearings,

the spokesperson said. The Ministry of Defence in the United Kingdom has previously stated that it is co-operating with the Kenyan investigation into the case, which has sparked controversy in the East African country. Ms Wanjiru's family, who left behind a teenage daughter, has long been fighting for justice. They live in Nanyuki, which is close to the British Army Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) - about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Nairobi, the capital. Esther Njoki, Ms Wanjiru's niece, told the BBC that the warrant was a bitter-sweet moment, noting that the extradition process could take time. The trial told the court that witnesses who are now based in the United Kingdom would be present for the trial, assuring that it will continue. Tessa Gregory, the family's UK-based legal counsel, said the British government now says it is "upon the British Government to do everything possible to ensure that the accused are extradited and face trial in Kenya as soon as possible.

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