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Rose Wanyua

A Kenyan High Court has issued an warrant for arrest for a UK citizen suspected of the death of a 21-year-old woman over a ten years back.

Agnes Wanjiru was killed in 2012 and her remains was discovered in a septic tank of a hotel in the central garrison town of the town of Nanyuki almost three months after she had allegedly spent an evening socializing with British soldiers.

Justice Alexander Muteti stated that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to request that the suspect appear before a court in Kenya for legal proceedings.

The lawyer representing Ms Wanjiru's family, Kamau Mbiu, told that the ruling cleared the path for proceedings to start for the suspect's extradition from the UK.

"It is welcomed, but we urge greater openness, as this remains a issue of public interest," the lawyer commented.

The court directed that the identities of the accused and those testifying not be revealed, stating this was essential in order to safeguard the fairness of the case.

In a response, a UK government spokesperson said: "We remain with the relatives of Agnes Wanjiru and we remain fully dedicated to assisting them secure a resolution."

The representative added that no further comment would be made at this stage because of the active court process.

The UK's Ministry of Defence has previously said it is working together with the local inquiry into the matter, which has sparked outrage in the East African nation.

The family of Ms Wanjiru, who left behind a young daughter, have long been fighting for answers.

They live in the town, which is near the UK military training base - approximately 200km from the capital, the capital.

A family member, her relative, told that the court order was "a bitter-sweet moment", adding the legal transfer could be lengthy.

The state lawyers informed the court that individuals with evidence currently based in the Britain would be present for the trial, making sure that it could proceed.

The family's UK-based legal representative, Tessa Gregory, said it now called upon "UK authorities to take all necessary steps to make certain that the suspect can be extradited and face trial in the country as quickly."

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