The Catholic Church in Mombasa is in mourning after 17 pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani, Mombasa, died in a road accident at Salama. The pilgrims were travelling to Subukia National Shrine in Nakuru County for the Catholic Church's National Prayer Day. Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde expressed grief over the deaths and urged Catholics to pray for the victims and their families.
The accident occurred shortly after midnight at Salama along the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway, involving multiple vehicles. According to police, the crash involved two trucks, a Toyota Hiace matatu, and other vehicles. The matatu carrying the pilgrims was involved in the chain of collisions, resulting in the deaths of all 13 people inside, including the driver and 12 passengers.
The pilgrims were headed to the Subukia shrine for a National Prayer Day organised by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB). This year's gathering was dedicated to prayers for peace and national cohesion as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election. A Holy Mass was scheduled to begin at 9am, with Catholics from different parts of the country expected to converge at the shrine.
The Subukia National Shrine, also known as the Village of Mary, is a major Catholic pilgrimage site in Kenya and is under the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops. The shrine attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, and the National Prayer Day is a significant event in the Catholic calendar.
In a message from the archbishop's office, Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde asked the faithful to pray for the repose of the victims' souls and for their families, St Mathias Mulumba Parish, and the Archdiocese of Mombasa. He called on Catholics to find solace and consolation in the Lord during this difficult time.
Six survivors with minor injuries were later discharged from Sultan Hamud Sub-County Referral Hospital, while a truck driver who sustained head and abdominal injuries was referred to Makueni County Referral Hospital. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Catholic community in Mombasa, with many mourning the loss of their loved ones.
The 2026 National Prayer Day was scheduled for Saturday, October 3, and was expected to be a significant event in the Catholic calendar. However, the accident has cast a shadow over the celebrations, with many Catholics instead praying for the victims and their families.
Key points
- 17 pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani, Mombasa, died in a road accident at Salama.
- The pilgrims were travelling to Subukia National Shrine in Nakuru County for the Catholic Church's National Prayer Day.
- Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde urged Catholics to pray for the victims and their families.
