A Catholic community in Meru is reeling after the discovery of a nun’s body in her house, with police naming a fellow sister as the prime suspect in the killing.
The tragic incident occurred at Meru Children’s Home in Nkabune, where the 65-year-old administrator, Sister Anselimina Karimi, lived and served.
Sister Karimi’s body was found on Sunday morning, lying in her dining room, with visible injuries and blood. She is believed to have been killed on Saturday night.
Imenti East Sub-County Police Commander Adano Abkula confirmed that detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau are leading the investigation.
A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspect is a newly transferred nun who had just arrived at the children’s home to replace Sister Karimi.
“The body of the deceased was found in her dining room. There was blood oozing from the ears, nose and mouth. There was blood on her clothes and on one of the curtains in the house. She was hit with a blunt object on her head. We believe that she was murdered elsewhere and then the body was brought to the house because her clothes had black jack seeds,” the officer said.
Investigators suspect Sister Karimi may have been attacked at another location before her body was returned to her home. Forensic reports show she was in her house until around 10pm on Saturday, but her phone went offline by 11pm and has not been recovered.
Police noted that the crime scene had been altered, with the house appearing cleaned before the investigation began.
The suspect reportedly found Sister Karimi on the floor and called her colleagues, who rushed her to Consolata Mission Hospital Nkubu, 16 kilometres away.
“She was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital. However, family members of the sister suspected foul play and reported the matter at Nkubu Police Station,” an officer said.
The family had previously warned authorities that Sister Karimi feared for her life. Police are now analysing the suspect’s phone records to establish her movements and communications during the critical hours.
The accused nun is expected to be arraigned in court today ( Tuesday) as the investigation continues to uncover the motive behind the killing.