Leonia Baraza, a 35-year-old Mombasa resident, was preparing for his wedding to Veronica Ngande when she died in a tragic accident on October 3, 2026. The couple had completed their ruracio in Kitui County less than two months prior and had planned to wed in February. Baraza received the devastating news on Sunday, October 5, after Veronica's vehicle was involved in a fatal crash at the Salama blackspot in Makueni County.
Veronica was among Catholic pilgrims traveling to the Subukia Shrine for the National Prayer Day when the accident occurred. Baraza had spoken to Veronica during the journey and only learned of the accident the following morning. The couple had been engaged since 2024 and had invested over two years building their future together. Their ruracio had taken place in Kitui County, and Baraza had received the blessing of both families to proceed with wedding arrangements.
Baraza's last interaction with Veronica was on the day of the accident, when she called him during a stop at Manyatta along the highway. However, when he tried to reach her later, she did not pick up. He made multiple attempts to contact her, but she did not respond. Baraza woke up on Saturday, October 4, and tried to reach Veronica again, only to learn of the accident.
The accident claimed the lives of 17 people, with nine bodies recovered and transported to Mombasa for burial planning. A committee was formed to oversee the burial preparations, and schedules for subsequent events would be communicated after consultations with each affected family. The tragic incident has left Baraza and the families of the victims in shock and grief.
Baraza described the experience as "truly very painful" and said he did not expect to lose Veronica. He had seen her off at St Matthew Mulumba Catholic Church on the morning of the accident, and they had planned to spend their lives together. The wedding, which was supposed to take place in February, has given way to funeral preparations.
The Salama blackspot crash has once again raised concerns about road safety along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway. The incident has left many families, including Baraza's, to pick up the pieces and try to move forward. As the burial preparations continue, the community is coming together to support the affected families.
The incident has also highlighted the importance of cherishing loved ones and making the most of the time spent with them. For Baraza, the memory of Veronica will live on, and he will continue to celebrate their love and the time they shared together. The families of the victims will continue to receive support and condolences from friends, relatives, and the community.
Key points
- The Salama blackspot crash claimed 17 lives, including Veronica Ngande, who was on her way to the Subukia Shrine for the National Prayer Day.
