(NAIROBI, KENYA) – A fundraising appeal has been launched to send the daughter of a Kenyan woman allegedly murdered by a British soldier to the United Kingdom for his extradition hearing. Stacy Wanjiru, 14, needs KES 1 million ($7,780 / £6,060) to cover travel and legal attendance costs for the proceedings in London.
The teenager was five months old when her mother, Agnes Wanjiru, was killed in 2012. Her body was found in a septic tank at the Lions Court Hotel in Nanyuki, close to the British Army Training Unit Kenya. Stacy plans to travel with her cousin, Esther Njoki, between 16th and 22nd November. The trip is intended to allow the family to attend court sessions and engage with British political leaders and campaigners.
The family has opened a fundraising account on the M-Changa mobile payments platform. Contributions will pay for passports, visas, flights and accommodation. Any surplus funds will be placed in a trust for Stacy’s education. The appeal follows a Kenyan court decision to issue an arrest warrant for the former soldier linked to the killing. The case has faced years of delay, with the family accusing British and Kenyan authorities of failing to act.
During the visit, Stacy and Njoki plan to meet British Members of Parliament, members of the House of Lords, journalists and advocacy groups. The aim is to press for the suspect’s extradition to Kenya to stand trial. Njoki said the trip represents the first real chance in 14 years to see the suspect face legal proceedings. She added that the family is also seeking compensation from the UK government for the loss of Agnes.
“We wish to travel to London to demand accountability and ensure that justice is not denied,” Njoki said. She said no compensation has been paid by the British government despite the murder being attributed to one of its soldiers. The family is asking Kenyans and other supporters to contribute to the travel fund.
The case carries broader significance for civil society groups tracking military accountability. Kenyan authorities reopened inquiries after renewed media reports linked the soldier to the killing. The London hearing is expected to focus on whether the suspect should be returned to Kenya.