A lorry lost control due to brake failure early Saturday, October 3, striking multiple vehicles including a 14-seater matatu on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway near Salama, Makueni County, killing 17 pilgrims bound for the Subukia National Shrine. The accident occurred shortly after midnight, according to local authorities, with seven additional individuals injured and transported to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for treatment. The victims, identified as parishioners from St. Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani Parish, were traveling to Nakuru County for the National Prayer Day (NPD) on a religious pilgrimage. Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the Archdiocese of Mombasa confirmed the fatalities, expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy in a statement released Saturday afternoon.
The crash unfolded as the lorry, whose brakes reportedly failed, collided with the matatu and other vehicles, causing a chain reaction that resulted in the deaths of all 17 passengers. The matatu, which had 14 seats, was carrying the pilgrims from Mikindani Parish, a community known for its active participation in church-led spiritual events. The National Prayer Day, an annual Christian observance, draws thousands of devotees to the Subukia Shrine, a major religious site in Kenya. Local media reported that the lorry’s driver was detained for questioning by police, though no official statement has been released regarding the cause of the brake failure.
Archbishop Kivuva’s statement emphasized the grief of the church community, noting that the victims were “on their way to the National Shrine, Subukia, for the National Prayer Day (NPD).” He described the incident as an “untimely passing” that has left the parish in mourning. The Catholic Church has not yet issued further details about the victims’ identities or the specific circumstances of the crash. Meanwhile, authorities have launched an investigation into the accident, with local officials urging drivers to exercise caution on the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, a corridor frequently cited in road safety reports for high accident rates.
The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for improved road safety measures along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, which connects Kenya’s two largest cities and serves as a critical transport route. The Subukia National Shrine, located approximately 180 kilometers from Nairobi, is a key destination for religious travelers, particularly during major Christian observances. As the community mourns, the incident underscores the risks faced by pilgrims and commuters on Kenya’s major highways, where infrastructure challenges and vehicle maintenance issues often contribute to fatal accidents. A full list of victims and further details about the crash are expected to be released by local authorities in the coming days.