Agnes Wanjiru's Niece Urges Labour to Extradite Ex-Soldier While Still in Power
LONDON - Esther Njoki, the niece of Agnes Wanjiru, who was killed in Kenya in 2012, has appealed to the Labour government to extradite a former British soldier charged with her aunt's murder while they are still in power.
Njoki met with Defence Secretary John Healey at Parliament on Tuesday, where she expressed hope that the extradition process would be expedited. "We are hoping that before his time ends and they get out of government he will have achieved what he wanted to achieve in Agnes' case," Njoki said. "It will be good for him, and also for Wanjiru's family, and the whole world, because everyone is watching."
The extradition process has been ongoing since 2013, with the Kenyan government requesting the transfer of Sergeant Alexander Blackman, who was convicted in 2013 of murdering Wanjiru. The Labour government has committed to extraditing Blackman, but the process has been slow due to bureaucratic delays.
Njoki's visit to London marks a significant milestone in her family's long fight for justice over her aunt's death. "We have seen big change under Labour," Njoki said. "The support we've received from John Healey and other officials has been tremendous."
Healey, who met with Njoki at Parliament, acknowledged the importance of resolving the case. "I'm committed to ensuring that justice is served in this case," he said. "We will continue to work closely with the Kenyan government to expedite the extradition process."
The Labour government's commitment to extraditing Blackman has been welcomed by human rights groups, who have long advocated for greater accountability for British soldiers accused of crimes abroad.
However, some critics argue that the extradition process is too slow and that the Labour government should take more decisive action. "While we appreciate the support from John Healey, we believe that the Labour government should do more to expedite the extradition process," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International.
The current status of the extradition process remains uncertain, with no clear timeline for Blackman's transfer to Kenya. However, Njoki remains hopeful that justice will be served soon. "We are confident that with the support of the Labour government and the Kenyan authorities, we will finally get closure in this case," she said.
The Labour government has until next year's general election to complete the extradition process before a new administration takes over. If Blackman is extradited while Labour remains in power, it would be seen as a significant achievement for the party's human rights record.
*Reporting by Theguardian.*
