A special mass was held at St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani in honor of 16 pilgrims and their driver who perished in a road accident in Salama area, Makueni County. The mass was a somber occasion for the church and the community, who gathered to pay their respects to the victims. The accident has left a deep void, particularly for the church, as many of the victims were eager to visit the Subukia shrine for the first time.
Parish priest Father Patrick Maingi recounted the final moments of the victims, terming the accident as a major blow to the church. He remembered the excitement and joy that marked the beginning of a pilgrimage that ended in tragedy. According to Father Maingi, the victims were excited to embark on the pilgrimage, and he had blessed them on Friday at 9 am.
Father Maingi also highlighted the personal impact of the tragedy on the families of the victims. A family of one of the deceased was planning a wedding next week but now has to make funeral plans instead. One of the victims, Sarapia, had expressed her desire to pass through Voi on the pilgrimage, as she had never done so before.
The church community is still reeling from the shock of the accident. Many of the victims were members of the church, and their deaths have left a significant gap in the community. The church, together with the affected families, is expected to hold a meeting to determine whether the bodies of the deceased will be transported to Mombasa before burial or laid to rest in their respective home counties.
Leaders who attended the memorial mass pledged the government's support to the bereaved families as they prepare to lay their loved ones to rest. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir was among the leaders who attended the mass. He pledged to stand with the bereaved families and ensure that they receive the necessary support.
Governor Nassir also announced that the government would take care of the medical bills of the victims. The church and the government are working together to provide support to the affected families. The meeting between the church and the affected families will also discuss the logistics of the burial.
The accident occurred on October 3, 2026, in Salama area, Makueni County. The victims were 16 pilgrims and their driver, who were traveling to the Subukia shrine. The special mass at St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani was attended by leaders and members of the church community.
Key points
- The government has pledged to support the bereaved families.
- A special mass was held at St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani to honor the victims.
- The accident has left a deep void in the church community, particularly for the families of the victims.
