A sombre mood engulfed St Mathias Lumumba Catholic Church, Mikindani Parish, on Saturday morning during a special service held after 16 of the church members perished in a road accident. The church members were travelling in two shuttle minibuses, one of which was involved in an accident involving several cars and a truck that had lost control. Family members of those who died were overwhelmed with grief, with some wailing in the middle of the service while others collapsed in agony.
Sarah Nashivanda, whose mother was among the victims, recalled their last conversation. She had called her mother at 8 pm on Friday to check on her and when they would begin their journey to Subukia in Nakuru County for the annual Catholic National Prayer Day. Her mother promised to call her again once they reached their destination. Nashivanda's mother was a single parent who had raised her and her two brothers.
Margaret Mregi, a member of the church, described the news as beyond their worst nightmares. She said they were dumbfounded by the news, and it was the first time such a tragedy had occurred to their church. Mregi's best friend, Anna Mwangi, was among those who perished, along with four choir members, including the choir chair Scholastica Ochieng.
Father Agostine Lape, a priest at St Mathias Lumumba Catholic Church, Mikindani Parish, said they were currently trying to offer consolation and counselling to the affected families. He said they were now dealing with the most important thing, not only for the family members of the deceased but also the entire church, which is how to manage the shock.
Mombasa Catholic Archbishop Martin Kivuva and Coadjutor Archbishop Dominic Kimengich will offer spiritual guidance and support to the families of the victims. The priest offered condolences to the affected families and called on drivers, traffic police, passengers and all other road stakeholders to be extra careful on the roads.
The journey to Subukia started after 2.30 pm when the travelling party was prayed for and blessed at the church. However, Nashivanda said the actual journey may have started after 8 pm because when she called her mother, she informed her they were in prayers so they could begin the journey. Mikindani MCA Jactone Madialo said they were making arrangements to offer support of any kind to the affected families.
Sheila Rose, who lost an aunt, Scholastica Ochieng, described her as an active and social person. Rose had visited her aunt on Wednesday and had spent the night at her house. She said her aunt had shown her the way to her house, and they had talked about meeting again soon. Rose was overwhelmed with emotions, saying she did not know that she would be coming to her house when she was dead.
Key points
- 16 church members died in a road accident in Makueni County.
- The victims were travelling to the annual Catholic National Prayer Day at the Subukia National Marian Shrine.
- Families of the victims recalled their final conversations with the deceased.
