NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 4- The United Kingdom Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey did not meet the family of Agnes Wanjiru when he visited Nanyuki, in a ‘firefighting’ mission, following the expose on the alleged cover-up on her brutal murder, that is linked to a British soldier.
The Minister said the British mission in Nairobi should consider visiting the late Wanjiru’s family, “in a show of solidarity.”
While in Nanyuki, Heappey met a section of the local community.
“…I think that it would be entirely appropriate for somebody from the British mission here in Kenya to do that. If I had the time in my programme, I think I would. I think that it is perfectly possible,” he said during a press conference on Wednesday.
“In fact, I think it’s important for the UK Government to show our solidarity with Agnes’ family, our belief that she has a right to justice, a daughter has a right to justice. And I think it’s perfectly possible that we can meet without prejudicing the case and without admitting culpability. And I’d like the team here on the British mission to look at how you might do that in the very near future.”
Wanjiru was killed in 2012 and her body was dumped into a septic tank at Lions Court Hotel in Nanyuki.
At the point of her death, Wanjiru left behind a five-month-old daughter, now under the care of her sister Rose Wanyua.
An inquest led by Judge Njeri Thuku and ended in 2019 concluded that Wanjiru was killed by one or two British soldiers.
She was last seen alive in the company of two soldiers.
When her body was retrieved from the hotel’s septic tank,a postmortem examination revealed that certain parts of the body were missing at the same time exhibiting stab wounds.
– ‘Leaving No Stone Unturned’-
The Minister urged Kenyan police to expedite investigations into the killing, saying “UK has nothing to hide.”
“We want the investigations to be dealt with as quickly as possible. We want those responsible to be brought to justice. Because Agnes and her family have already had to wait too long for these cases to be resolved,” he said.
“We need that now to be investigated and brought to the courts here in Kenya as quickly as possible. And any further allegations that come to light can be dealt with the same urgency on our part.”
On whether there was an attempt to cover up the killing, he said “I honestly don’t know. To be completely honest with you. But I am making damn sure that I find out.”
He was however noncommittal on whether the UK was willing to extradite any suspect found culpable to the killing.
On this, he said “I have to be honest with you. I’m not immediately clear right now on the extradition arrangements between the UK and Kenya. But absolutely everybody in the UK government is aware of how Agnes’ case has affected the Kenyan public. And we want you to know that we take that very seriously. We want justice to be done for her.”
Nine soldiers from the 2nd Battalion- Duke of Lancaster were named as possible suspects and witnesses as they were at the hotel at the time.
They are KGN Thornborrow J, KGN McKenna L J, CPL Byrne S C, SGT Millar S J, SGT Higgins S T, KGN Bradshaw K A, KGN David Giles P, A Coy and Armitage A J, A Coy.
Another soldier only identified as Higgos also booked into the hotel but his sign-in form was never presented to the court. The hotel management could not explain how the form disappeared.
Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has since directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to reopen the investigations. Government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defence have been silent on this case.
“I have directed the DCI to re-open the case and compile all the available evidence and witness accounts and ensure the case is concluded before a court of law. I am also urging the UK government to collaborate with us to conclude the case and administer justice,” the Inspector General of Police said on November 1.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
