A photo of a portrait of the late Catholic Nun Anselimina Karimi taken at her family home on October 14, 2025. Sister Karimi was found murdered at Meru Children's Home in the outskirts of Meru town on October 12, 2025.
The body of Anselmina Karimi, a Catholic nun who was murdered in Meru on October 12, 2025, will remain in the morgue for the next three months, as the Meru High Court has extended orders issued a month ago.
The court also directed the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to file and serve their responses.
The judge warned that a summons would be issued against the two offices if they fail to comply.
On November 5, Thomas Murithi Mwiraria filed a petition against the Catholic Church, the Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation, the Inspector General of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Consolata Hospital Nkubu, and the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration.
Mr Mwiraria argues that the Catholic Church planned the burial without consulting the family and beneficiaries of the deceased, raising fears that Sr Karimi could be laid to rest before an independent forensic inquiry into her death is completed.
Sister Anselimina Karimi who is believed to have been murdered on the night of October 11, 2025 in Meru.
Mr Mwiraria is a beneficiary of the Meru Children’s Home, which was managed by Sr Karimi for decades.
Appearing for the interested parties, lawyer Shadrack Wambui urged the court to summon the Inspector General of Police to provide an update on the progress of the murder investigation.
The matter came up for mention on December 17, 2025, to establish compliance with court directives issued on November 13.
Sr Karimi’s family has also applied to be enjoined in the petition, which is now scheduled for mention on March 16, 2026.
The Catholic Church, through its legal counsel, said it did not oppose the continued preservation of the body if the court finds it necessary in the interest of justice.
“The church, in planning the burial, was only discharging its duties in accordance with its faith and traditions,” the lawyer told the court.
In his petition, Mr Mwiraria argues that more than 100 beneficiaries of the Meru Children’s Home and members of the host community “feel deeply aggrieved that a person who raised and nurtured us could be buried without the truth about her death being established.”
Sr Caroline Kanjiru before Meru Court on October 14, 2025.
Earlier this month, a suspect arrested in connection with the nun’s death was arraigned in court, with police granted 21 days to conduct further investigations.
Previously, a fellow nun, Caroline Kanjiru, who was initially arrested and arraigned over the murder, was released after two weeks in custody and declared a state witness.
Investigators established that Sr Karimi died from head injuries after being struck with a blunt object, leading to bleeding in the brain. She also suffered a broken neck and injuries to her hands and legs, pointing to torture before her death.
Her body was found lying in her house on October 12, 2025. Police established that she was murdered elsewhere before her body was returned to the convent.
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