A court hearing opened in Nairobi on Wednesday into a lawsuit over the 2012 death of a young Kenyan mother who was last seen alive with a British soldier.
However, the hearing was swiftly adjourned until May, drawing criticism from the victim’s family, which has persistently sought justice regarding her killing.
Wanjiru, 21, was discovered deceased in a septic tank following her reported night out with British soldiers at a Nanyuki hotel, situated in the central town where the British army maintains a permanent garrison.
Reports from Britain’s The Sunday Times in October 2021 claimed that a soldier had confessed to fellow comrades about Wanjiru’s murder, displaying her body. Allegedly, this information was brought to military superiors, but no significant action was taken.
Although an investigation began in 2019, no public results have surfaced. Kenyan police declared the reinitiation of the inquiry following the revelations by The Sunday Times.
Wanjiru’s family has filed a lawsuit against the British army in Kenya, alongside legal, police, and political officials, regarding her demise.
Expressing disappointment, Wanjiru’s niece, Esther Njiko, accused the authorities of intending to conceal the truth following the adjournment until May 21, stating, “We are very sad. This is not the decision we were expecting.”
Since gaining independence in 1963, Kenya has housed a permanent army base near Nanyuki, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Nairobi.
In documents submitted to the Nairobi court, BATUK commander Colonel Andrew Wilde indicated, “The UK government, as a foreign sovereign state, does not consent to submit to the jurisdiction of this honourable court.” He denied claims of the Ministry of Defence or the UK government covering up investigations or information related to the alleged murder perpetrator.
London and Nairobi have grappled over jurisdictional matters concerning British soldiers who violate Kenyan law.
