Revealed: Nun Who Was Murdered Had Warned of Threats to Her Safety

A Catholic nun has been arrested in connection with the killing of Sister Anselimina Karimi, a senior administrator at Meru Children’s Home, whose body was discovered on Saturday night with signs of assault and possible torture.

Sister Karimi, who had served at the home for many years, reportedly raised concerns about her safety the day before her death. Her brother, Martin Mbae, said she confided in him about growing tensions within the institution and hinted that someone might be plotting to harm her. Investigators believe the attack was planned in advance rather than carried out spontaneously.

A post-mortem commissioned by the family found that Sister Karimi had suffered blunt force trauma to the head, a broken neck, and other injuries consistent with torture. A second autopsy by a government pathologist is pending. Detectives believe she was lured from her residence inside the compound, assaulted elsewhere, and then returned to the scene.

The main suspect, Sister Caroline Kanjiru, had recently been assigned to the children’s home to replace Sister Karimi following instructions from the Mother Superior of the Nazareth Sisters of Annunciation. Her arrival is reported to have coincided with escalating internal disputes. Investigators are examining phone records, financial transactions and other evidence to establish a timeline of events.

On Tuesday, Meru Senior Resident Magistrate Evelyne Ndegwa authorised police to hold Sister Kanjiru for 14 days to allow forensic tests and protect her from possible public hostility. “I find it necessary for the suspect to be detained… to facilitate DNA tests at the Government Chemist. This will also ensure the suspect’s safety because members of society are angry,” she said in court.

Sister Karimi was last seen alive on Saturday evening at Consolata Mission Hospital in Nkubu. Early the next morning, her brother received a call from another nun saying she had collapsed. When he arrived, he found her body on the floor with visible injuries, her veil missing and her tongue protruding.

Mr Mbae said four nuns moved the body into a vehicle and took it to the mortuary, cleaning the scene before police were notified. Mortuary staff declined to receive the body without an official report, leading the matter to be escalated to Nkubu and later Meru Police Station. Sister Kanjiru was arrested shortly afterwards by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Police are searching for additional suspects and several missing mobile phones believed to contain crucial evidence. They are also investigating internal disputes within the institution to determine whether these conflicts may have contributed to the incident.

Sister Karimi was known for her long service at the children’s home and her active involvement in its daily operations.