NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has mourned 17 pilgrims from St Matthias Mulumba Catholic Parish in Mikindani, Mombasa, who died in a road crash at Salama while travelling to the National Prayer Day at Subukia Shrine.
In a condolence message, Gachagua said he was pained by the deaths and sent his sympathies to the victims’ families, Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, clergy and the wider Catholic community.
He said the tragedy had occurred on a day when Catholics from across Kenya had gathered at the Subukia Shrine in Nakuru County to pray for the nation.
The annual National Prayer Day was held on Saturday, October 3, with this year’s focus on peace and national cohesion ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Pilgrims were travelling from Mombasa
The 17 pilgrims were travelling from St Matthias Mulumba Parish in Mikindani to the National Shrine in Subukia when the crash happened at about 12.10am on Saturday, according to a report citing Archbishop Kivuva.
The crash occurred at Mlima Kiu in Salama, along the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway.
Police said a truck travelling towards Mombasa allegedly left its lane while overtaking and struck another lorry, triggering a chain of collisions that included a matatu.
Seventeen people died, and several others were injured. Police are investigating the cause of the crash.
Gachagua extended his condolences to the Catholic Church in Kenya and said he was praying for comfort for the bereaved families.
He also prayed for the deceased to “rest in eternal peace.”
