An ex-British soldier is contesting extradition charges following allegations of being involved in the death of a young mother while serving overseas. Robert Purkiss, aged 38, is accused of fatally stabbing Agnes Wanjuri, aged 21, and disposing of her body in a septic tank. A court ruling in September demanded his arrest and return to Kenya for trial in connection with Wanjuri’s demise, leading to diplomatic tensions between the UK and Kenya over purported misconduct by military personnel at the foreign installation.
Purkiss, who has broken his silence on the extradition proceedings, maintains his innocence. The tragic incident involving Wanjuri occurred in 2012 while she worked as a sex worker near the military training area where Purkiss and others were stationed for a training exercise lasting six weeks. Wanjuri was last seen leaving a hotel with Purkiss during a break for the soldiers, before her remains were discovered in a decomposed state in a septic tank.
In a recent statement to the media, Purkiss, who is currently detained in a London prison without bail, refuted the allegations of confessing to the killing, emphasizing his denial of any involvement in the death of Wanjuri. He highlighted discrepancies in the accusations, stating that he had no recollection of meeting Wanjuri and dismissed claims of making incriminating statements to colleagues.
Purkiss expressed concerns about the prospect of being extradited to Kenya, labeling it a potential “show trial.” The victim’s family received assurances of support from the UK government, with the Defense Secretary reaffirming commitment to their pursuit of justice. The incident, which occurred in 2012, involved Wanjuri’s tragic death near a hotel frequented by off-duty foreign soldiers, sparking investigations into the circumstances leading to her demise.
Purkiss’ wife, Kelly, revealed her decision to leave him due to the strain caused by the ongoing case. She defended her husband’s character, stating her belief in his innocence and emphasizing his role as a medic with no evidence linking him to the crime. Legal representation for Purkiss confirmed the Ministry of Defence’s financial assistance for his defense, as he awaits further legal proceedings in court.
An official inquiry in 2018 concluded that Ms. Wanjiru was a victim of foul play involving British soldiers, shedding light on the tragic events surrounding her disappearance near a British military facility.