Kenyan High Court Issues Arrest Warrant for British Subject in 21-Year-Old Woman's Murder Case
Rose Wanyua
The nation's superior court has approved an arrest warrant for a British national suspected of killing a young woman more than a decade ago.
Agnes Wanjiru was killed in early 2012, and her body was later found in a septic tank of a hotel in the central garrison town of Nanyuki about three months after she had was said to have passed an night socializing with British soldiers.
The presiding judge said that authorities submitted adequate grounds to request that the individual be present before a local court for trial.
Attorney of the victim's relatives, Kamau Mbiu, told media outlets that the ruling paved the way for extradition processes to begin for the suspect's extradition from the United Kingdom.
"We welcome it, but we call for more openness, as this is still a subject of public concern," Mr. Mbiu commented.
The court instructed that the identities of the accused and those involved be protected, saying this was required in order to safeguard the fairness of the trial.
Through a release, a British official commented: "We continue to think with the Wanjiru family, and we continue to be devoted to assisting in their pursuit of justice."
It was added that no additional statements would be provided at this stage because of the ongoing legal proceedings.
The MoD has previously said it is working alongside the Kenyan investigation into the incident, which has caused outrage in the country.
Her loved ones, who had a small girl, have long been fighting for a resolution.
Residents of the town, which is adjacent to the British Army Training Unit Kenya - around 200 kilometers north of the capital, Nairobi.
Her relative, Njoki, informed the media that the warrant was "mixed emotions", noting the extradition process could be lengthy.
The court heard that the court that witnesses living in the UK would be made available for the court case, ensuring that it could proceed.
A London legal representative, Attorney Gregory, emphasized it now called upon "the government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the individual faces trial and stand trial locally as quickly."
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