The High Court in Meru has stopped the burial of Catholic nun Anselmina Karimi, who was murdered last month , until a petition filed by her beneficiary is heard and determined.
Justice Stephen Githinji issued the orders on Wednesday and directed that the application be served upon the respondents within four days.
“That pending the hearing and determination of this Application inter-parties, a temporary conservatory order is hereby issued against the first (the Catholic church) and second respondents, their servants, agents, representatives, or any other person acting under their authority, restraining them from proceeding with, authorising, or facilitating the burial, interment, or disposal of the body of the late Sister Anselmina Karimi, scheduled for Thursday, 6th November, 2025 or at any other date whatsoever,” the judge ordered.
According to the Petitioner, Thomas Murithi Mwiraria, the Catholic Church had planned to bury Sister Karimi without involving him, the family and other beneficiaries of Meru Children’s Home.
Sister Anselimina Karimi who is believed to have been murdered on the night of October 11, 2025 in Meru.
Photo credit: Pool | Nation Media Group
Mr Mwiraria, who was brought up at Meru Children’s Home, which Sister Karimi managed, has sued the Catholic Church, the Nazareth Sisters of Annunciation, the Inspector General of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Consolata Hospital, Nkubu and the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.
He argues that “the Catholic Diocese of Meru and the Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation have announced a burial ceremony for Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the NSA Cemetery – Motherhouse, without consultation with the family, me, or the many former children under her care.”
Mr Mwiraria told the court that there is apprehension that the burial may proceed before any independent forensic inquiry is completed.
“I and over one hundred (100) other beneficiaries of Meru Children’s Home, together with the host community of Nkabune, feel deeply aggrieved that a person who raised and nurtured us could be buried without the truth about her death being established,” he stated.
The matter is set for mention on November 13, 2025.
A week ago, Sister Caroline Kanjiru, her colleague who had been arrested in connection with the murder of Sister Karimi, was set free after two weeks in custody. She has now turned into a State witness.
Investigating officer Patrick Wachira told the court that detectives had failed to link Sister Kanjiru to the murder and that suspects were being pursued.
Investigators had established that Sister Karimi died of injuries to the head after she was hit with a blunt object, leading to bleeding in the brain.
She also suffered a broken neck, injuries on the hands and legs, pointing to torture before the murder.
Her body was found lying in her house on October 12, 2025, with police establishing that she was murdered elsewhere and the body returned to the convent.
