MERU, Kenya — A Catholic nun has been arrested as the prime suspect in what police describe as the brutal murder of a colleague, Sister Anselimina Karimi, whose body was discovered in her home at Meru Children’s Home in Nkabune.
According to investigators, Sister Karimi, 65, who served as the administrator of the children’s home, was found in her dining room on the morning of October 12, 2025.
She is believed to have been killed the night before. Her body showed signs of trauma, including head injuries and bleeding from the ears, nose, and mouth.
The suspect is another nun recently transferred to the children’s home, reportedly to replace Sister Karimi in the administrative role.
Initial forensic work suggests the victim may have been struck on the head with a blunt object. Items of evidence and the presence of black jack seeds on the victim’s clothing indicate that the murder might have taken place elsewhere before the body was placed back in her house.
Sister Karimi’s mobile phone was found switched off from about 11 p.m. the night of the alleged murder and is now missing. This adds to suspicion about what transpired during the critical hours.
Police confirm the scene had been disturbed — including attempts to clean, which may have compromised vital forensic evidence.
The Imenti East Sub-County Police Commander says the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau is overseeing the probe. The suspect is expected to be formally charged in court on Tuesday.
The killing has shocked the local Catholic community, prompting concern and debate about what might have motivated an allegedly trusted sister to commit such a heinous act. Some family members say Sister Karimi had earlier claimed her life was in danger
