It is now emerging that the 17 people who died in a grisly road accident at Salama, Makueni County, on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway were pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani, Mombasa County.

According to the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mombasa Most Rev. Martin Kivuva, the pilgrims were travelling to the Subukia National Shrine in Nakuru County for the 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,” Archbishop Kivuva said. “The pilgrims were on their way to the National Shrine, Subukia, for the National Prayer Day ( NPD).”

Archbishop Kivuva added: “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. May their souls rest in peace. Amen.”

Authorities say the accident occured at around 1:30 am Saturday, October 3 when a 14-seater matatu collided with a truck.

Dr Stephen Mwangangi, the Medical Superintendent at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital, says all the 17 died on the spot, whole six survivors of the accident have since been treated and discharged.

More to follow…