The United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence on Sunday issued a statement explaining why it is yet to probe the alleged murder of Agnes Wanjiru by a British soldier in Nanyuki 9 years ago.
According to the statement by the Ministry of Defence press office, they have not been able to launch their own investigation, since Kenyan authorities already have an ongoing probe.
The ministry, however, noted that it has been working closely with the Kenyan authorities especially on inquiries being done in the UK.
“The MOD has fully supported the Kenyan authorities with their ongoing investigation. We cannot legally launch a parallel investigation while the Kenyan investigation is ongoing. The Royal Military Police are in daily contact with Kenyan authorities and are assisting with lines of inquiry within the UK,” UK’s Ministry of Defence press office tweeted.
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British military training unit in Kenya. [Photo: Courtesy]
The statement comes amid allegations that Wanjiru’s murder was covered up by senior officials in both the Kenyan and UK governments.
A recent report by The Sunday Times revealed that the identity of the British soldier, who allegedly slept with the late Wanjiru before killing and dumping her body in a septic tank is widely known in the army yet no action has been taken.
In the investigations by The Sunday Times, five soldiers from the unit that was based in Nanyuki, gave the same name belonging to soldier X.
The soldiers who took part in the drunken night with local prostitutes said they were shown Wanjiru’s’ body on the evening she was reportedly murdered.
"He took me to the tank and lifted it up, and I looked in and I just remember seeing her in there. My heart sank. My mind just went blank. The only thing I could say to him was: 'I'll never forgive you for this," The Sunday Times quoted one of the soldiers who was part of the team based in Nanyuki.
Responding to the report by The Sunday Times, UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott assured Kenyans that they're cooperating with the investigations into the murder of Wanjiru.
"I share the concern about the tragic death of Agnes Wanjiru in 2012 - my thoughts are with her family and the community. I can assure Kenyans that the UK is fully cooperating with the investigation and will help in any way we can,” she said.
