Salama, Kenya — A late-night pilgrimage transformed into tragedy on Saturday when a truck driver’s ill-fated overtaking maneuver led to a deadly collision that claimed the lives of 17 people. The crash occurred shortly after midnight on a highway heading toward Mombasa, a popular coastal city in Kenya.
The victims, mainly members of St. Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, were en route to the Subukia National Shrine for a day dedicated to prayer, known as National Prayer Day. This shrine, located in the Rift Valley region, holds significance for Catholics across Kenya, attracting pilgrims each year.
Among the deceased were 16 passengers in a van, predominantly women, who were declared dead at the accident scene. Local reports indicate that the driver of the truck, who attempted the dangerous overtaking, sustained serious head injuries and was taken to Makueni Level 6 Hospital for treatment.
Initial police investigations reveal that the truck driver lost control while trying to pass another vehicle, inadvertently causing the pilgrims’ van to become involved in the subsequent wreck. A multidisciplinary crash investigation team from the Kenya National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has been dispatched to the site to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure compliance with regulations.
The stretch of the highway where the crash occurred has been identified as a notorious hotspot for traffic accidents, with past recommendations from the NTSA regarding safety measures having gone unaddressed prior to the incident. The NTSA urged drivers to exercise extreme caution on this route, particularly in light of ongoing investigations into the crash.
Figures from the NTSA highlight a concerning trend in road safety across Kenya, with over 5,000 road traffic fatalities reported last year alone, and approximately 2,150 deaths occurring in just the first half of 2026.
Authorities have confirmed the identities of all 17 victims, and postmortem examinations have since been conducted at Sultan Hamud Hospital. A requiem Mass was held for the deceased at the St. Mathias Mulumba parish on October 8, where community leaders and mourners gathered to honor their lives. Nine of the victims’ bodies were subsequently taken to Mombasa, while the remaining eight were returned to their hometowns for burial.
Coadjutor Archbishop Dominic Kimengich, who presided over the Mass, remarked on the profound loss felt by the community, expressing hope that the deceased have found peace in the afterlife. Local politician Badi Twalib announced that the government would provide compensation of 12.5 million Kenyan shillings (about $96,400) to each affected family.
Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa also shared his condolences, emphasizing the tragic nature of the incident and the impact on the community. He urged prayers for the victims, their families, and the congregation of St. Mathias Mulumba as they navigate this painful loss.
Kenyan President William Ruto extended his sympathies to the grieving families, calling the loss of these 17 lives a profound tragedy for the nation and the Catholic community. The ongoing investigation by NTSA continues to seek clarity on the events leading to this devastating accident.