The Meru Law Courts have granted police permission to detain Catholic nun Sister Caroline Kanjiru for 14 days as investigations continue into the murder of Sister Anselmina Karimi, a 65-year-old nun who served as the administrator of Nkabune Children’s Home in Meru County.
Senior Resident Magistrate Everlyn Ndegwa allowed the application by lead investigating officer Abdul Tulla, noting that the detention was necessary both for the suspect’s safety owing to rising public outrage and to allow police time to conduct forensic and DNA analysis at the Government Chemist. The court directed that the suspect remain at Meru Police Station pending the outcome of the investigations.
The case will be mentioned on October 28, 2025, when investigators are expected to present an update on their findings and determine whether Sister Kanjiru will face murder charges or be released.
Police reports indicate that the late Sister Karimi was found dead in her house on Sunday, though detectives believe she may have been killed elsewhere before her body was moved to the residence. The murder, which occurred on Saturday night in Imenti North Sub-County, has sent shockwaves through the Meru Catholic Diocese and the wider community.
According to sources, the suspect had been set to take over management of the children’s home from the deceased, a detail that has intensified public interest in the case.
Police say the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), through its Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, has since taken over the probe as efforts to uncover the motive and circumstances surrounding the killing continue.
