Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde has expressed grief over the deaths of 17 pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Parish, Mikindani, who died in a road accident at Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. The pilgrims were travelling to the National Shrine in Subukia for the National Prayer Day when the crash occurred at Mlima Kiu in Salama, Kilome, early Saturday morning.
The accident occurred at about 12.10 am on October 3, 2026, and involved a chain of collisions. According to police at Salama Police Station, the truck driver allegedly failed to keep to his proper lane while overtaking a fleet of vehicles and rammed into the rear right side of a Hino. The impact caused a series of collisions with other vehicles, including a Peugeot, a Toyota Noah, and a Toyota Hiace PSV matatu.
The out-of-control truck was subsequently stopped after colliding with a Nissan UD, which was travelling from Mombasa towards Nairobi. Police said the driver of the matatu and 12 passengers died at the scene. The driver of the Sinotruk, Shijire, and three passengers travelling in the truck also died on the spot. Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Stephen Mwangangi confirmed that 17 people had died in the accident.
In a message addressed to priests, religious men and women, and the lay faithful, Archbishop Kivuva expressed sadness over the deaths of the 17 pilgrims. He asked the faithful to pray for the repose of their souls as well as for their families, St. Mathias Mulumba Parish, and the Archdiocese as a whole. The church asked the faithful to pray for the deceased and their families as they come to terms with the loss.
St Mathias Mulumba Parish in Mikindani is part of the Archdiocese of Mombasa. The pilgrims were among Catholic faithful travelling to Subukia for the National Prayer Day, an annual religious gathering at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Nakuru County. Archbishop Kivuva extended prayers to the wider parish community, which was affected by the deaths of the pilgrims.
The accident was reported at Salama Police Station as a fatal road traffic accident. The police are investigating the cause of the accident. The National Prayer Day is an important event in the Catholic calendar, and the deaths of the pilgrims have sent shockwaves through the community.
Archbishop Kivuva concluded his message by asking for prayers for the deceased, saying "May their souls rest in peace. Amen." The incident has sparked condolences from across the country, with many leaders and faithful expressing their sympathy to the families of the victims.
Key points
- 17 pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Parish die in road accident on Nairobi-Mombasa highway
- Accident occurred at Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway on October 3, 2026
- Pilgrims were travelling to National Shrine in Subukia for National Prayer Day
