17 Mombasa pilgrims killed in Salama crash on way to National Prayer Day

Seventeen Catholic pilgrims from Mombasa were killed in a multi-vehicle crash at Salama in Makueni County in the early hours of Saturday as they travelled to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.

The victims were members of St Matthias Mulumba Catholic Parish in Mikindani, Mombasa.

They were travelling to the Subukia National Shrine in Nakuru County for the annual Catholic gathering when the crash occurred shortly after midnight on the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway.

Their deaths were confirmed by the Archdiocese of Mombasa, which said the parish community was mourning the loss of the pilgrims.

“We are saddened with lots of grief to announce the untimely passing on of seventeen pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba, Mikindani, in an accident that occurred at Salama,” Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva said in a statement.

The Archbishop said the group had been travelling to the national shrine for the prayer event.

He asked Catholics to pray for the victims, their families, the parish and the wider Archdiocese of Mombasa.

Crash involved several vehicles

The collision happened at about 1am near Salama along the busy highway.

Initial police accounts indicate that several vehicles were caught up in a chain of collisions.

The Star reported that a truck allegedly crossed into the path of other vehicles while overtaking before colliding with several vehicles, including the matatu carrying the pilgrims. Police said the vehicles involved were being examined as investigations continued.

Other accounts have attributed the initial loss of control to possible brake failure.

However, authorities have not yet issued a final finding on what caused the crash.

The damaged vehicles have been taken for further examination as investigators work to establish the exact sequence of events.

Makueni County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif confirmed the deaths.

Several other people were injured and taken to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital. The facility's medical superintendent, Dr Stephen Mwangangi, said some survivors were treated and discharged, while at least one seriously injured driver was referred to Makueni County Referral Hospital.

Pilgrimage ended in tragedy

The group had set out from Mombasa for one of the Catholic Church's major annual national gatherings.

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops had designated this year's National Prayer Day for peace and national cohesion, with the theme, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

The event was scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at the Subukia Marian Shrine and was expected to bring together Catholics from across the country.

The timing has added a painful dimension to the tragedy.

The pilgrims were on their way to a gathering where Catholics were due to pray for peace, unity and the country, including as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election.

Instead, the journey ended with 17 members of one Mombasa parish losing their lives.

Church mourns parishioners

The Archdiocese of Mombasa called for prayers for the victims and their families.

The deaths have also drawn messages of condolence from political leaders and other members of the public.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua expressed condolences to the families, Archbishop Kivuva, the clergy and the wider Catholic community.

The focus, however, remains on the bereaved families and the parish as they await further information about the circumstances of the crash.

The victims' bodies were taken to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital mortuary pending postmortem procedures, according to reports from the scene.

Investigations continue

The Nairobi–Mombasa Highway is one of Kenya's busiest transport corridors, carrying passenger vehicles, trucks and other heavy commercial traffic.

Saturday's crash has once again highlighted the risks faced by motorists travelling along the route, particularly at night.

But investigators are yet to establish responsibility for the Salama collision.

Police have documented the scene and are examining the vehicles involved as they work to determine what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.

Until that process is complete, claims about the specific cause of the accident remain preliminary.

For the families of the 17 pilgrims, however, the immediate reality is already clear.

A journey that began in Mombasa as a pilgrimage to pray for peace ended with a community grieving the loss of 17 of its members.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.