Why The court Has Delayed Sister Anselmina Karimi’s Burial Again

The Meru High Court has ordered that the body of Sister Anselmina Karimi, a Catholic nun murdered in October, remain in the mortuary for a further three months as legal proceedings over her burial continue.

The decision, delivered this week, extends earlier orders aimed at preserving the body while outstanding issues relating to the investigation are addressed. The court directed the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to file formal responses, warning that summonses would be issued if they fail to comply.

Petition Challenging Burial Arrangements

The matter arises from a petition filed on 5 November by Thomas Murithi Mwiraria, a beneficiary of the Meru Children’s Home, which Sister Karimi managed for many years. Mr Mwiraria accuses the Catholic Church of moving to bury the nun without adequate consultation with her family or the community connected to the children’s home.

He argues that burial before the completion of an independent forensic examination would undermine efforts to establish the full circumstances of her death. In his petition, he named the Catholic Church, the Nazareth Sisters of the Annunciation, the Inspector General of Police, the DPP, Consolata Hospital Nkubu and the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration as respondents.

Mr Mwiraria says that more than 100 beneficiaries of the children’s home, along with members of the local community, are dissatisfied with plans to proceed with burial before all investigative questions are resolved.

Church and Family Positions

Lawyers representing the Catholic Church told the court that burial preparations had been made in accordance with religious practice, but said the Church would not oppose continued preservation of the body if required for the administration of justice. The family of Sister Karimi has since applied to be joined formally to the proceedings, adding to the number of parties involved. The case is scheduled to be mentioned again on 16 March 2026.

Status of the Criminal Investigation

Police investigations into the murder are ongoing. Earlier this month, a suspect was presented in court, and investigators were granted 21 days to conduct further inquiries. Another nun, Sister Caroline Kanjiru, who was initially arrested in connection with the case, has been released and is now listed as a state witness.

Investigators have reported that Sister Karimi suffered severe head injuries caused by a blunt object, leading to bleeding in the brain. She also sustained a broken neck and multiple limb injuries, indicating she was assaulted before her death. Her body was found at her residence on 12 October, though police believe she was killed elsewhere and later returned to the convent.