Former British Soldier Denies Murder in Kenya Extradition Case
A former British soldier, Robert Purkiss, is vehemently denying allegations that he murdered Agnes Wanjuri, a 21-year-old woman, in Kenya in 2012. The case, which has sparked a diplomatic row between the UK and Kenya, centers around the discovery of Ms. Wanjuri’s body in a septic tank near a British military training area.
Purkiss, 38, is currently detained in a London prison awaiting potential extradition to Kenya to face trial. He has consistently maintained his innocence, telling magistrates he “vehemently denies” the allegation. The case has been plagued by a lack of forensic evidence and relies heavily on witness testimony, some of which Purkiss now challenges.
A Decade of Silence and a Diplomatic Rift
The alleged crime occurred in March 2012, but Ms. Wanjuri’s remains weren’t found until June of that year, three months after her disappearance. Kenyan authorities allege Purkiss, then a soldier with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Regiment, stabbed Ms. Wanjuri, who worked as a prostitute near the training area, and concealed her body. For over a decade, the case remained largely unresolved, with accusations of a cover-up within the British military.
The situation escalated in September when a Kenyan court ordered Purkiss’s arrest and extradition. Last month, Ms. Wanjuri’s family traveled to London, where they received assurances of support from UK Defence Secretary John Healey in their pursuit of justice.
Purkiss’s Account: A Denial of Involvement
Speaking from prison in an exclusive interview, Purkiss offered a detailed account of his whereabouts and denied any knowledge of Ms. Wanjuri. “I did not kill Agnes Wanjuri, I do not believe I ever met her either,” he stated. He dismissed claims that he confessed to the murder, allegedly joking with colleagues about killing “a brass” after a visit to a local bar. “Neither would I joke about killing a woman – that conversation has no basis in reality.”
Purkiss claims he first learned of the incident weeks later while on a military exercise in Canada. He further asserts he never booked the hotel room near where Ms. Wanjuri’s body was found and was back at camp by midnight on the night in question. As a trained medic, he pointed to the lack of blood on his person as evidence against his involvement. “If I killed her and dumped her body there would have been blood over my clothes and hands. There was none.”
Questionable Witness Testimony and a Troubled Past
The Kenyan extradition request largely hinges on the testimony of Liam Hendry, a former soldier who served alongside Purkiss. Purkiss alleges Hendry is an unreliable witness, describing him as a “heavy drinker with a reputation for telling tales.”
Hendry’s post-military life has been marked by legal troubles. He has been repeatedly arrested for shoplifting and, in July 2025, received a 52-week sentence for multiple offenses. Court records reveal his solicitor alluded to the trauma of an incident in Kenya as a contributing factor to his criminal behavior, stating, “Something happened in Kenya which caused him a lot of anguish and he left the Army.”
Another witness reportedly overheard Purkiss and Hendry making a joking remark about “killing a brass” while returning to camp, but this witness did not claim to have seen Ms. Wanjuri’s body.
Family’s Plea and Army Review
Purkiss’s wife, Kelly, a former Army Warrant Officer, has staunchly defended her husband’s innocence. She recounted a conversation with their son, where Purkiss calmly denied the allegations. “Robert is a medic, his job was to save people not kill people,” she said.
The case has prompted a broader review of British Army conduct in Kenya, initiated in 2024. This review uncovered 35 suspected cases of sexual exploitation and abuse involving British soldiers, including nine incidents that occurred after a ban on soldiers using prostitutes was implemented in 2022.
A ‘Show Trial’ Feared
Purkiss fears that if extradited, he will face a “show trial” in Kenya. He expressed concern for his family but remains resolute in his denial. “Whatever people say about squaddies, I don’t believe any of us would cover up something as serious as the murder of a woman. None of this makes sense.”
Ms. Wanjuri’s family, however, remains convinced of a cover-up and welcomed Purkiss’s arrest as a step towards justice. Her niece, Esther Njoki, stated earlier this month, “My family is incredibly relieved to hear that the suspect in my aunt’s case has been arrested. We have waited so many years for this moment which marks an important step towards finally obtaining justice for our beloved Agnes.”
An inquest in Kenya in 2019 concluded that Ms. Wanjuri was unlawfully killed by British soldiers, suffering stab wounds to the abdomen and chest. The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings.
