Rose Wanyua
A Kenyan High Court has authorized an arrest warrant for a individual from Britain allegedly involved in the death of a 21-year-old woman more than a decade ago.
The victim was killed in 2012 and her body was discovered in a septic tank of a lodge in the military town of Nanyuki almost three months after she had allegedly spent an evening partying with UK troops.
Justice Alexander Muteti declared that prosecutors had submitted sufficient proof to seek that the suspect appear before a court in Kenya for trial.
The lawyer acting for Ms Wanjiru's family, Kamau Mbiu, informed that the decision cleared the path for proceedings to begin for the individual’s transfer from the UK.
"We welcome it, but we urge more openness, as this continues to be a issue of public concern," the lawyer added.
The judge ordered that the identities of the suspect and witnesses not be published, saying this was necessary in order to protect the integrity of the case.
In a response, a UK government spokesperson stated: "Our thoughts remain with the family of Agnes Wanjiru and we remain fully dedicated to helping them obtain a resolution."
The representative added that no additional statements would be made at the moment because of the active legal proceedings.
The British defence ministry has previously said it is working together with the Kenyan investigation into the matter, which has sparked outrage in the country.
The relatives of the deceased, who was survived by a young daughter, have for years fighting for answers.
They reside in Nanyuki, which is close to the UK military training base - some 200km from the capital, the capital.
Ms Wanjiru's niece, her relative, told that the warrant was "a bitter-sweet moment", noting the legal transfer could take time.
The state lawyers informed the court that individuals with evidence currently based in the UK would be present for the proceedings, making sure that it could go ahead.
The lawyer representing the family, Tessa Gregory, said it now urged "the British Government to take all necessary steps to make certain that the accused can be extradited and stand trial in Kenya as quickly."
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