A tragic road accident at Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway on October 3, 2026, claimed the lives of 17 pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani Parish. The pilgrims were en route to the National Shrine in Subukia for the National Prayer Day. The accident involved a Howo Sinotruk truck that collided with multiple vehicles, resulting in significant loss of life.
According to police at Salama Police Station, the truck driver allegedly failed to keep to his proper lane while overtaking a fleet of vehicles and rammed into the rear right side of a Hino. The impact caused a chain reaction of collisions with an oncoming Peugeot, a Toyota Noah, a Toyota Hiace PSV matatu, and a Nissan UD.
The accident resulted in the deaths of the driver of the matatu and 12 passengers at the scene. Additionally, the driver of the Sinotruk, identified as Shijire, and three passengers travelling in the truck also died on the spot. President William Ruto condoled with the families of the victims, expressing deep sadness and sending heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, parishioners, and the entire Catholic community.
Ruto prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in the accident and asked God to grant the bereaved strength, comfort, and peace. He also offered his condolences, saying, “May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.” Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also sent his condolences, expressing pain and offering thoughts and prayers to the families and the Catholic Church.
Gachagua addressed his condolences to Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa, the clergy, and the Catholic fraternity in Kenya, offering deepest sympathies on the tragic accident. Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i also mourned the 17 pilgrims, expressing sadness and offering condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
Matiang’i joined the faithful in prayer for the repose of the souls of the departed and for God’s comfort and strength upon the bereaved. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo also sent his condolences, describing the loss of 17 pilgrims as a painful reminder of how quickly a journey can turn into grief.
Omollo urged all road users to exercise the highest level of caution and responsibility, offering thoughts and prayers to the bereaved families, their parish, and the wider Catholic community. He wished those injured a full and speedy recovery, adding, “May the departed rest in eternal peace, and may God grant their families strength and comfort in this difficult hour.”
Key points
- President William Ruto condoled with the families of 17 pilgrims killed in a road accident at Salama.
- The accident involved a Howo Sinotruk truck that collided with multiple vehicles, resulting in significant loss of life.
- The pilgrims were en route to the National Shrine in Subukia for the National Prayer Day.
