Relief for family as British soldier

The former medic accused of killing Agnes Wanjiru has been arrested and is facing extradition. After 13 long years, her family's constant pressure has finally pushed the wheels of justice into motion. By Ufrieda Ho

- Ufrieda Ho

The high-profile extradition of a British soldier implicated in the 2012 killing of a Kenyan woman is finally under way as Robert James Purkiss was arrested and appeared in court on 7 November.

For 13 years, one family has fought to get answers and justice for the murder of Agnes Wanjiru. The case also puts a spotlight on the toxic culture of exploitative relationships, misconduct, abuse and rape that has stained the British Army in Kenya.

Since 2012, the Wanjiru family pushed the Kenyan and British governments to act and bring the accused to court.

Purkiss (38), a former army medic, was confirmed to have undergone army training in Nanyuki, 200km north of Nairobi, at the time of Wanjiru's murder. He was arrested by members of the National Crime Agency's national extradition unit on 6 November in Wiltshire, southwest England.

Purkiss told the court he intends to contest his extradition to Kenya.

Wanjiru's niece, Esther Njoki, who has been the force behind the fight for justice for her aunt, says the news of Purkiss' arrest came as a surprise, but the family is overjoyed to see movement on the matter.

"We are happy because we didn't think that this would happen in this short time. Purkiss is the first soldier to face the law in Kenya it's something, it's big," she told Daily Maverick.