The relatives of a Kenyan woman, who allegedly died at the hands of British soldiers, have expressed their exhaustion after a 13-year long battle for justice, stating they have been given “too many empty promises” following an encounter with the defence secretary.

In March 2012, Agnes Wanjiru, aged 21, vanished and was last witnessed with British soldiers at a bar in a hotel in Nanyuki, a town in eastern Kenya hosting the British military base, BATUK. Her body was later found in a septic tank at the Lion’s Court hotel two months later, with an inquest six years prior concluding that one or more British soldiers murdered her.

In 2021, a suspect was identified by multiple soldiers then with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, with one testifying that the alleged killer confessed to the crime and showed him Wanjiru’s body.

Kenyan prosecutors indicate that a comprehensive review has commenced after submitting the investigation file to the director of public prosecutions, acknowledging the long wait but affirming their commitment to justice for Wanjiru’s family.

During a visit to Kenya, John Healey, met with Wanjiru’s family, expressing his resolve to bring about a conclusion to the case and ensuring the UK’s “full support” for the investigation.

Rose Wanyua, Wanjiru’s sister, has been holding the flame for justice, with a determination evident in her actions and public displays of remembrance for Agnes.

Healey, as shadow defence secretary, has previously demanded more decisive steps towards justice for Agnes and her family, with Kenyan prosecutors already interviewing witnesses and suspects in the UK without bringing any charges yet.

In response to “alarming allegations” of misconduct by troops at BATUK, the British army launched an investigation last year into the wider behavior of its soldiers in Kenya.

Healey intends to discuss Wanjiru’s murder with the President of Kenya, William Ruto, emphasizing the urgency of advancing the case. He met with the family, praising their strength in the fight for justice and the government’s ongoing commitment to their pursuit of closure.

Following the meeting with Healey, Wanjiru’s family stated the profound and devastating impact of their loss, including the trauma and hardship of their quest for justice. They are hopeful that this meeting will lead to concrete actions from the UK government and the Ministry of Defence in properly investigating the case and preventing similar incidents in the future.