Archbishop Kivuva mourns 17 Mombasa pilgrims killed in Salama crash

The Archdiocese of Mombasa is mourning 17 Catholic pilgrims who died in a chain-reaction crash at Salama, Makueni County, while travelling to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.

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

They were travelling overnight to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Subukia, Nakuru County, for Saturday’s national prayer gathering when the crash happened shortly after midnight.

Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde confirmed the deaths in a message to priests, religious leaders and the Catholic faithful.

“We are saddened with lots of grief to announce the untimely passing of seventeen (17) pilgrims from St. Mathias Mulumba, Mikindani, in an accident that occurred at Salama,” the Archbishop said.

The crash happened at about 12.10am on Saturday, October 3, at Mlima Kiu in the Salama area along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway.

The deaths have left the Mikindani parish community grieving as families await further information and the conclusion of the authorities’ investigations.

Archbishop asks for prayers

In his message, Archbishop Kivuva urged Catholics to pray for the deceased and their families.

He also extended the church’s prayers to St Mathias Mulumba Parish and the wider Archdiocese of Mombasa.

“Let us pray for the repose of their souls as we pray for their families, St. Mathias Mulumba Parish and the Archdiocese as a whole, so that we may find solace and consolation in the Lord,” he said.

He concluded with a prayer for the victims.

“May their souls rest in peace. Amen.”

The tragedy came as Catholic faithful from different parts of Kenya travelled to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.

The annual gathering at the Subukia National Shrine is a major event in the Catholic calendar and was this year dedicated to prayer for peace and national cohesion.

Police reconstruct how the crash happened

Police at Salama Police Station are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

According to the initial police account, a Howo Sinotruk travelling from Nairobi towards Mombasa was involved in a series of collisions after its driver allegedly moved out of his lane while overtaking.

Police said the truck first struck the rear-right side of a Hino truck travelling in the same direction.

The Sinotruk then lost control and collided with vehicles travelling in the opposite direction, including a Peugeot and a Toyota Noah.

It subsequently crossed into the climbing lane and collided head-on with a Toyota Hiace public service vehicle carrying the pilgrims.

The truck was eventually brought to a stop after another collision with a Nissan UD truck travelling towards Nairobi, police said.

Police said the Hiace driver and 12 passengers died at the scene. The Sinotruk driver and three other people travelling in the truck also died.

Several other people were injured.

Eastern Regional Police Commander Stephen Chebet said investigations were continuing and urged motorists to exercise greater caution.

“We urge motorists to be cautious on the roads. These are too many people to lose,” Chebet said.

The vehicles involved have been taken for inspection as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Hospital treats survivors

Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital received some of those injured in the crash.

Medical Superintendent Dr Stephen Mwangangi described the incident as a chain of collisions involving several vehicles.

“It was a chain of accidents,” Mwangangi said, explaining that the initial collision involving the trucks led to the subsequent crash involving the matatu.

Seven injured people were reported to have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The exact condition of all the injured was not immediately clear.

Mombasa community urged to avoid unverified information

The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of condolences from church leaders and political leaders.

President William Ruto sent condolences to the victims’ families, fellow parishioners and the Catholic community. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo also described the deaths as a painful reminder of how quickly a journey can turn into tragedy.

Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherriff Nassir urged residents, particularly families of the victims and members of St Mathias Mulumba Parish, to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information as authorities establish the facts.

For the Mikindani parish community, the immediate focus is now on supporting bereaved families and praying for those who died.

The pilgrims had left Mombasa with the hope of reaching Subukia for a day of prayer.

Instead, their journey ended on the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, leaving 17 families and an entire parish community to mourn.

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.