This archive report was first published on 3 November 2021.
Kenya's National Assembly Defense committee has put on hold the ratification of a defense cooperation agreement between Kenya and the UK, signed in June by President Uhuru Kenyatta and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The move comes after the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the British government's handling of the murder case of Agnes Wanjiru, a 21-year-old woman who went missing nine years ago while partying with British soldiers at a hotel in Nanyuki.
According to reports, a British soldier confessed to killing Wanjiru and showed his comrades where he dumped her body, but the crime was dismissed by military officials and the soldier was flown back home.
Defense Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa assured the committee that the British government has committed to cooperate in ensuring those who murdered Agnes face the law, but the lawmakers remain unconvinced.
“Because of the defense cooperation agreement it gives us jurisdiction to deal with this matter. The agreement has lapsed and it is in our national interest to have that cover legally so as to deal with any offences due to the jurisdiction given by that agreement including the murder case of Wanjiru,” said Wamalwa.
However, Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo and Mandera North MP Bashir Abdullah expressed skepticism, stating that the delays by the governments go to show that they might be covering up the culprits.
“It has been nine years of assurance. People want to see justice done. Then you (CS Wamalwa) tell us you are in a hurry we ratify the defense cooperation agreement yet you are not in a hurry to prosecute the culpable criminals,” Kilonzo said.
“We are looking at an agreement that has lapsed and now requires renewal unfortunately now when we are about to do renew this subject of Agnes Wanjiru comes up. Until we have concrete evidence to suggest the culprit will be brought to book under the Kenyan justice system, only then will we append our signature on the defense cooperation pact,” Bashir stated.
