John Healey, the United Kingdom’s Defence Secretary, met with Esther Njoki, niece of the late Agnes Wanjiru, in London on Tuesday as the case surrounding the 2012 Nanyuki murder continues to draw worldwide attention.
The encounter is the second time a UK official has met with Wanjiru’s family, coming shortly after Kenya’s Director of Public Prosecutions directed that a British national be formally charged in connection with the killing.
In a statement released by the British High Commission in Nairobi, Healey reiterated his government’s commitment to aiding Kenya in seeking justice for the family.
“Six months since our first meeting in Kenya, I was pleased to welcome the niece of the late Agnes Wanjiru, Esther Njoki, to London today, to reiterate our government’s steadfast support for her family’s long and painful fight for justice,” Healey said.
He praised Njoki’s advocacy, adding, “I want to pay tribute to Esther, who is an extraordinary spokesperson for her family and for women who have suffered violence. We reflected on the significant progress made in recent months, with the case file being handed to the Director of Public Prosecutions in April and a charging decision being made last month. Our government will continue to do everything we can to support the Kenyan investigation, secure a resolution to this case and finally bring peace to Esther and her grieving family.”
Speaking after the meeting, Njoki described the emotional challenges her family has faced, expressing cautious optimism about the latest developments.
“The loss of my beloved aunt, Agnes Wanjiru, has left a permanent scar on my family. It wasn’t just the pain of losing her – it is the years of silence, frustration and trauma we’ve endured trying to get justice since,” she said.
“Since my family last met with the Secretary of State, there has been a major development with a former British soldier having been charged with my aunt’s murder. This has given us a renewed sense of hope — but we are still far from achieving justice for Agnes. That’s why this meeting with the Secretary of State is crucial. We are urging him and the government to do everything in their power to ensure the man arrested is extradited to Kenya and faces trial without further delay.”
The meeting comes amid rising public demands in both Kenya and the UK for accountability and resolution in Wanjiru’s case, which has remained a source of tension for over ten years.
Agnes Wanjiru’s body was discovered in a septic tank at a Nanyuki hotel close to the British Army Training Unit in March 2012. She was last seen with a British soldier later connected to her death through witness testimonies and internal army documents.
In April 2025, Healey became the first UK minister to meet Wanjiru’s family during an official visit to Kenya, marking a crucial step in diplomatic engagement over the unresolved case.
The British High Commission stated that the UK will continue working closely with Kenyan authorities to ensure the case reaches a fair and transparent conclusion.