Sombre mood at Subukia Shrine as Kenya mourns 17 pilgrims killed on way to National Prayer Day

• 17 Catholic pilgrims who were travelling to Nakuru died when their vehicle was involved in a road crash at Salama.
• They were travelling from Mombasa to join thousands of faithful at the Subukia Marian Shrine for prayers for the nation.
• The tragedy cast a sombre mood over the celebrations at the shrine.

The National Prayer Day at the Subukia Marian Shrine in Nakuru County was overshadowed by the deaths of 17 Catholic pilgrims who were travelling to the event when their vehicle was involved in a road crash at Salama in Makueni County.

The pilgrims, all members of St Mathias Mulumba Mikindani Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, were travelling from Mombasa to join thousands of faithful at the shrine for prayers for the nation when the accident occurred on Saturday morning.

The tragedy cast a sombre mood over the celebrations at the shrine, which brought together Catholic faithful from different parts of the country.

Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) chairman Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba conveyed the Church’s condolences to the bereaved families and called on Christians to pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

“Let us continue praying for our brothers and sisters whom the Lord has called to Himself as they were on their way on pilgrimage to this place. We pray that their pilgrimage has put them in a better place in eternal life. May the Lord grant them eternal life and give them the crown of glory,” Archbishop Muhatia said.

The pilgrims’ deaths came as Catholic faithful gathered at the shrine for the National Prayer Day, with religious leaders using the occasion to pray for the country and call for peace ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In his homily, Bishop Mark Kadima of the Catholic Diocese of Bungoma urged political leaders to reject goonism and violence and promote peaceful coexistence.

He called on politicians and their supporters to conduct their activities peacefully and avoid actions that could divide communities or threaten the lives of Kenyans.

The bishop said the country needed leaders who could promote unity and peace as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.

President William Ruto expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, saying the pilgrims had been travelling to the National Shrine to pray for the nation.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of 17 pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani Parish, in a road accident at Salama while travelling to the National Shrine in Subukia for the National Prayer Day,” President Ruto said.

He sent his condolences to the victims’ families, friends, parishioners and the wider Catholic community and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.

“We stand with them in this difficult moment and pray that God grants them strength, comfort and peace. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace,” he said.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka also mourned the victims, saying they included men, women and young people who had set out for Subukia to pray for the nation but did not return home to their loved ones.

“I have received with deep sorrow the news of the devastating road crash at Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, in which 17 pilgrims from St Matthias Mulumba Catholic Parish, Mikindani, Mombasa, lost their lives,” he said.

Mr Musyoka sent his sympathies to the bereaved families, relatives and friends, as well as the Catholic fraternity in Kenya.

He also condoled with Archbishop Muhatia, who was hosting the National Prayer Day at Subukia Shrine, Mombasa Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, Co-Adjutor Archbishop Dominic Kimengich, priests, religious leaders and Catholic faithful gathered at the shrine.

“It is especially painful that this has happened as Kenyans gather in prayer for our nation,” he said.

Mr Musyoka quoted Biblical verses from Psalm 34:18 and Matthew 5:4 to offer comfort to those mourning and prayed for the recovery of those injured.

He said the tragedy should renew the country’s commitment to road safety and the protection of human life, urging drivers, passengers, transport operators and other road users to exercise the highest level of care and responsibility.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo described the deaths as a painful reminder of how quickly a journey can turn into tragedy.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, their parish and the wider Catholic community. We also wish those injured a full and speedy recovery,” he said.

Mr Omollo urged road users to exercise caution and responsibility as investigations into the crash continue.

“Every journey carries lives that must be protected. May the departed rest in eternal peace, and may God grant their families strength and comfort in this difficult hour,” he said.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also mourned the pilgrims, saying he received news of the crash with great pain.

“My thoughts and prayers are with their families, relatives, and the entire Catholic Church on this National Prayer Day being marked by Catholics at the Subukia Shrine in Nakuru,” he said.

Mr Gachagua extended his sympathies to Archbishop Kivuva, the clergy and the Catholic fraternity in Kenya.

Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir urged families, parishioners and members of the Catholic community to remain calm as authorities coordinate the response.

“At this extremely difficult moment, I urge the people of Mombasa, particularly the families, parishioners and the wider Catholic community, to remain calm and to await further official communication through the relevant authorities and established channels,” he said.

Mr Nassir also appealed to the public to refrain from circulating unverified information, photographs or identities of the victims out of respect for the affected families.

He said he had spoken with his Makueni counterpart and that the two county governments were coordinating with relevant authorities on the response and other necessary arrangements.

Jomvu MP Badi Twalib also sent condolences to the bereaved families, the parish community and the Catholic fraternity.

“On behalf of the people of Jomvu Constituency, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the parish community, and the entire Catholic fraternity. This is a profound loss to our community, and we mourn with you during this difficult moment,” he said.

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