Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang'i visited St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Parish in Mikindani, Mombasa, on Monday to console families mourning 17 parishioners killed in a multiple-vehicle collision on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. The crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday at Mlima Kiu near Salama, when a lorry heading towards Mombasa collided with several vehicles, including the Toyota Hiace carrying the pilgrims.
The accident resulted in one of the deadliest road incidents involving a church group from Mombasa, with police reports confirming 17 deaths – the matatu driver, 12 passengers, and the lorry driver with three occupants. Matiang'i took the opportunity to urge Father Maingi to keep a register of affected families, emphasizing the need to identify children who have lost parents or guardians and to channel assistance through the church.
Matiang'i highlighted education as a priority, calling on donors to contribute to a fund that would support the schooling of orphaned children. He stressed that it was crucial for the church and well-wishers to provide sustained support to the bereaved families beyond the period of public mourning. The Jubilee Party leader cautioned against political leaders disappearing after funeral ceremonies, urging continued engagement with the families.
During his visit, Matiang'i revealed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta had asked him to deliver a personal condolence message to the parish priest and had contributed Sh500,000 toward funeral costs. This gesture demonstrates the gravity of the situation and the need for collective support from various stakeholders.
While raising questions about the crash's circumstances, Matiang'i emphasized that the focus should remain on supporting families, adding that blame should be set aside until investigations conclude. The National Transport and Safety Authority has deployed a multidisciplinary team to investigate the incident, identifying the Mlima Kiu-Salama stretch as a known black spot.
The Salama crash has brought attention to road safety concerns, particularly in areas known to be accident-prone. Matiang'i urged Kenyans to continue praying for the bereaved, the orphaned children, and the widows left behind by the tragedy. The Catholic Church has been called upon to play a pivotal role in supporting the affected families.
As the community continues to mourn, efforts to provide support to the affected families are underway. Key among these efforts is the need to ensure that children orphaned by the tragedy receive necessary assistance, including educational support. Matiang'i's visit and message of support underscore the importance of sustained engagement with bereaved families.
Key points
- Fred Matiang'i visited St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Parish to console families after 17 pilgrims were killed in a road collision near Salama.
- Matiang'i urged the Catholic Church to register affected families and support children left parentless by the crash.
- The National Transport and Safety Authority has deployed a team to investigate the incident, identifying the Mlima Kiu-Salama stretch as a known black spot.
