Leonea Baraza, a Mombasa resident, was set to wed his long-time partner, Veronica Ngandi, in February when tragedy intervened. The couple had received blessings from their respective families and had planned their wedding ceremony. Baraza had paid the dowry for Ngandi in August, and they were on course to formalize their union when the accident occurred. The incident has left Baraza grieving and shattered their wedding plans.
On the evening of the journey, Baraza spoke to Ngandi when she reached Manyatta at around 8 pm, just to check that she was safe. She later called him again from Mtito Andei, and the two spoke. However, when Baraza tried to reach her at around 9 pm, the calls went unanswered. He assumed she had dozed off from fatigue and went to sleep, only to receive devastating news the following morning.
Ngandi had been among a group of faithful from St Matthias Mulumba Catholic Church who were traveling to the Subukia Shrine. The group was seen off by fellow parishioners before departing. Baraza and Ngandi had been engaged since 2024 and had planned to hold their wedding in February. The loss has shattered everything they were building, leaving Baraza heartbroken.
By the time of reporting, nine of the 17 bodies from the accident had been transported back to Mombasa. An organizing committee had begun holding meetings to coordinate next steps with the affected families. The committee member stated that they would meet with the families to confirm the program that would follow.
The pilgrims, including Ngandi, were traveling to pray for peace and national cohesion ahead of Kenya's 2027 General Election. Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva called on Catholics to remember the victims and support their grieving families in prayer. The incident has left the Mombasa Catholic community in mourning.
Baraza expressed his sadness, stating that he never expected something like this to happen. He did not know that the day they spoke in the morning would be the last time he would talk to Ngandi. The incident has left him truly heartbroken, and he is still trying to come to terms with the loss.
The Mombasa community is rallying around Baraza and the other affected families to offer support and condolences. As the families prepare for the burials, they are receiving assistance from the church and other well-wishers. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for caution while traveling.
Key points
- A Mombasa man, Leonea Baraza, is grieving after his fiancée, Veronica Ngandi, died in a road accident while traveling to the Subukia Shrine in Nakuru County.
- The couple had planned their wedding ceremony in February, which has now been canceled due to Ngandi's death.
- The incident has left the Mombasa Catholic community in mourning, with Archbishop Martin Kivuva calling on Catholics to remember the victims and support their grieving families in prayer.
