Seventeen pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Parish in Mikindani, Mombasa, were killed in a multiple-vehicle road accident at Salama, Makueni County, while travelling to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.
Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva confirmed that the victims were parishioners who were on their way to the National Shrine in Subukia for the annual National Prayer Day.
“We are saddened with lots of grief to announce the untimely passing on of seventeen (17) pilgrims from St. Mathias Mulumba, Mikindani, in an accident that occurred at Salama. The pilgrims were on their way to the National Shrine, Subukia, for the National Prayer Day,” Archbishop Kivuva said.
The accident occurred at about 12.10am on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Mlima Kiu in the Salama area along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
According to police, the crash involved several vehicles. A truck travelling from Nairobi towards Mombasa allegedly failed to keep to its lane while overtaking and rammed into the rear of another truck. The impact caused the second truck to lose control and collide with other vehicles, including a Peugeot and a Toyota Noah.
The out-of-control truck then collided head-on with a Toyota Hiace matatu carrying the pilgrims. The matatu driver and its 12 passengers died at the scene, while additional fatalities were reported among people travelling in one of the trucks, bringing the death toll to 17.
Other reports have cited brake failure as a possible factor, while police accounts reported an overtaking manoeuvre and loss of control. Investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.
In a condolence message, Archbishop Kivuva said the Archdiocese was deeply saddened by the deaths and urged Catholics to pray for the repose of the victims’ souls, their families, 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 added.
The pilgrims were travelling to Subukia as Catholics from across the country gathered at the National Shrine for the 2026 National Prayer Day.
