A multi-vehicle road crash near Salama, Kenya, killed at least 17 people, mostly Catholic pilgrims, according to local and international news reports. The incident occurred on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, approximately 90 kilometers southeast of Nairobi. The victims were members of St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani Parish, en route to the Subukia Shrine for a pilgrimage.
A Catholic bishop confirmed the death toll and urged parish priests to arrange special services during Sunday’s church masses to pray for the souls of the deceased. The crash, which involved multiple vehicles, has raised concerns about road safety in the region. One survivor, a local man from Mikindani, narrowly avoided the tragedy by changing his travel plans and taking a separate bus to Subukia.
The tragedy has prompted mourning from local officials, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who expressed condolences for the victims. The incident highlights the risks faced by pilgrims traveling on rural roads in Kenya, where infrastructure and safety measures remain underdeveloped. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.
