At least 17 pilgrims from St. Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani Parish died in a multi-vehicle collision at Salama in Makueni county, Kenya, on October 3. The incident occurred along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway in the early hours of Saturday. A lorry reportedly lost control after experiencing brake failure shortly after midnight, striking multiple vehicles, including a 14-seater matatu carrying the pilgrims.
The deceased were travelling to the National Shrine in Subukia to mark the National Prayer Day. Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed the fatalities and announced an investigation into the incident. Chirchir extended condolences to the bereaved families, relatives, friends, fellow parishioners, and the broader Catholic community, describing the incident as a devastating loss.
Chirchir ordered a multidisciplinary crash investigation into the fatal collision. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), working alongside the National Police Service, dispatched a team to the scene to determine the circumstances of the incident. The investigation will examine the vehicles involved, their roadworthiness and compliance, as well as other factors that may have contributed to the crash.
The Cabinet Secretary urged road users across the country to exercise greater caution, highlighting areas of concern such as dangerous overtaking, poor lane discipline, excessive speed, and the operation of vehicles that do not meet roadworthiness standards. Chirchir emphasized that every life lost on Kenyan roads is a painful reminder of the collective responsibility to prioritize road safety.
A list of 16 people who were travelling in the ill-fated matatu heading to the prayers emerged, although it was unclear who survived the crash. Families had not yet identified the bodies. Among those listed were the driver and 15 members from small Christian communities, including Janet Miito, Florence Atieno, Jane Mwakamba, Josephat Mekonge, Hilkah Orina, Linah Akinyi, and Martha Nzyoki.
The incident has raised concerns about road safety in Kenya. According to Chirchir, the Ministry of Roads and Transport will work to address the issues that led to the crash. The government has a responsibility to ensure that roads are safe for all users, and that vehicles meet the necessary standards to prevent such incidents.
The Catholic community and the nation at large are mourning the loss of the 17 pilgrims. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing road safety and taking measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The investigation is ongoing, and it is expected that the findings will inform measures to prevent similar incidents.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has launched an investigation into the Salama crash that killed 17 pilgrims.
- The incident has raised concerns about road safety in Kenya, with the government urging road users to exercise greater caution.
- The Catholic community is mourning the loss of the 17 pilgrims who died in the incident.
