Ex British Serviceman Charged of Killing Kenyan Female Shows Up in Courtroom

A suspect has appeared in court as extradition proceedings commenced in the investigation of Agnes Wanjiru, a Kenyan national, a Kenyan woman who was murdered near a UK military installation in 2012.

Purkiss, 38, who is a native of Greater Manchester region, showed up in the magistrates' court in Westminster on Friday, and stated to the court he intended to contest the extradition request. Sources suggest that he was detained on the evening of Thursday.

A warrant for arrest for the defendant was issued by a Nairobi court in September. The prosecution informed the Kenyan judiciary that the accused had been accused of a single count, of homicide, and that the government of Kenya would request his deportation to face charges.

He previously worked as a medical attendant with the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, the military regiment for the northwestern England, including on tours of Afghanistan.

The victim, 21 years old, a hair stylist who had a baby daughter, disappeared after a night on the town, and her body was located two months later in the grounds of the accommodation where she had previously spotted.

No one had earlier been arrested or charged in relation to her passing. His detention came after a recent detective probe, which followed a report in the year 2021 by a weekly publication, in which the publication approached several serving and ex-military personnel in the military group.

The probe has been headed by Kenyan detectives, which, under a bilateral defence agreement, maintains prosecutorial power in the matter.