Former UK Serviceman Accused of Murdering Kenyan Woman Shows Up in Court

A suspect has shown up before a judge as extradition hearings started in the investigation of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan national, a female from Kenya who was killed near a British army base in 2012.

Robert Purkiss, 38, who is originally from Greater Manchester region, appeared before the magistrates' court in Westminster on the last Friday, and informed the court he would challenge the extradition request. Reports indicate that he was detained on Thursday evening.

A warrant for arrest for the defendant was authorized by a Nairobi court in September. The state attorneys told the Kenyan court that the accused had been facing a sole charge, of homicide, and that the government of Kenya would pursue his extradition to stand trial.

The defendant served formerly as a medic with the regiment of the Duke of Lancaster, the army unit for the northwestern England, including on tours of Afghanistan.

Wanjiru, 21 years old, a hairdresser who had a young daughter, disappeared after a night on the town, and her body was located two months later in the premises of the accommodation where she had most recently observed.

No one had earlier been taken into custody or charged in relation to her death. His detention came after a recent detective probe, which came after a article in the year 2021 by the Sunday Times, in which the media outlet approached several active and retired troops in the military group.

The probe has been led by Kenyan detectives, which, under a bilateral defence agreement, maintains prosecutorial power in the case.