Cornelius Korir, a 41-year-old father of three, was meant to travel with 17 Catholic pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Church in Mombasa to Subukia for a national prayer day. However, he was told the bus was full, and his plans were nearly foiled. Korir was given money by the Catholic Missionaries Association in Mikindani to buy a public transport ticket. He later secured a spot on another bus and arrived safely in Subukia, only to learn of the tragic accident that claimed the lives of his fellow pilgrims.
The accident occurred on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway in the Salama area when a lorry attempted to overtake other vehicles on a steep hill. According to police, the lorry collided with several cars, resulting in the deaths of 17 people. The victims were traveling to Subukia for a national prayer day. The incident sent shockwaves through the Catholic community, with many mourning the loss of their loved ones.
Korir received devastating news when he arrived in Subukia, with the community chairman informing him of the fatal accident. He had been looking forward to attending the prayer day with his fellow pilgrims but was spared due to circumstances beyond his control. The news left him stunned and grief-stricken.
The Catholic Church in Mombasa has been plunged into mourning, with hundreds of faithful gathering at St Mathias Mulumba Church to pay their respects. The church's leadership, including Padre Kizito Iloka, expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the Sultan Hamud Referral Hospital mortuary.
In a special mass, Padre Augustine Lape urged the congregation to find strength in the face of the tragedy. He emphasized the importance of spiritual support for the affected families and called for measures to prevent such accidents in the future. The church community is still reeling from the shock of the incident.
Among those affected by the tragedy is 20-year-old Sarah Nashivanda, who lost her mother in the accident. She recalled their last conversation, which took place two hours before the accident, and expressed her grief. Another survivor, Sheila Rose, lost her aunt, Scholastica Ochieng, who left behind two children.
The accident has raised concerns about road safety in Kenya, with many calling for increased measures to prevent such tragedies. The government and transport authorities have been urged to take action to reduce the number of accidents on Kenyan roads. The nation continues to mourn the loss of the 17 pilgrims who died in the tragic accident.
Key points
- A Kenyan man survived a fatal bus crash that killed 17 Catholic pilgrims after missing the bus due to circumstances beyond his control.
- The accident occurred on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway when a lorry collided with several cars, resulting in the deaths of 17 people.
- The Catholic community in Mombasa is in mourning, with many calling for increased measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
