Kenya aims to ‘amend’ defence agreement with UK after woman’s alleged murder

One of Kenya’s most senior politicians says moves are under way to “amend” the country’s defence agreement with the UK following the alleged murder of a Kenyan woman by British soldiers.

Agnes Wanjiru was killed in 2012 and her body dumped in a septic tank.

An inquest held in 2019 concluded she had been murdered by one or more British soldiers.

But 11 years on, no one has been brought to justice.

To coincide with the state visit to Kenya, the family of Ms Wanjiru wrote to the King.

Kenya’s prime cabinet minister, Musalia Mudavadi, told Sky News the death of Ms Wanjiru was “regrettable” and “should never have happened”.

He said a joint investigation is still ongoing, and said moves are under way to ensure any suspects cannot escape justice.

“Our parliament, following the incident, is looking into ways of amending the nature of our [defence] agreement so acts like murder should be dealt with in the country,” Mr Mudavadi added.

“So it’s not a question of suspects maybe finding their way out.”

The UK and Kenya share an important defence relationship which supports regional stability and counterterrorism.

The minister’s comments came during the King’s four-day trip to Kenya, which included an engagement at a Kenyan naval base in Mombasa.

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Arriving by boat, the King and Queen were given a ceremonial welcome before watching Kenyan marines stage a beach landing.

With smoke bombs and blank rounds firing, the exercise showcased the training being given to the marines by British and American marines.

The five-year programme will help establish Kenya’s first marine commando unit.

Later, the King visited Mombasa’s Nyali beach to see how they are making use of plastic waste.

He was presented with a throne made from upcycled plastic – picked up on the beach.

And his third day in Kenya ended at Kuruwitu, a marine conservation area.

There he helped plant a coral nursery being grown to restore and repopulate the lost local reef.