Mombasa mourns 17 Catholic pilgrims killed on journey to Subukia
The Catholic community in Mombasa held a solemn mass to mourn 17 parishioners who died in a road accident while traveling to a national prayer event in Subukia. The victims were killed when their van crashed on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
Why it matters
This tragedy has deeply affected the local community and highlights ongoing concerns regarding road safety during large-scale religious pilgrimages in Kenya.
A three-hour mass at St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Parish in Mikindani, Mombasa county, on Sunday turned into a solemn farewell for 17 parishioners who died in a road accident while travelling to Subukia for the National Prayer Day.
The pilgrims were killed in the early hours of Saturday when the Toyota Hiace van they were travelling in was involved in a crash at Mlima Kiu near Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
They were headed to the National Shrine in Subukia, Nakuru county, for the annual National Prayer Day when tragedy struck.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa on Saturday released the names of the 17 victims in a statement signed by Coadjutor Archbishop Most Rev Dominic Kimengich.
Those who died are Janet Miitto, Florence Atieno, Jane Mwakamba, Josephat Mekonge, Hilkah Orina, Linah Akinyi, Veronicah Musyimi, Martha Nzyoki and Ann Mwanthi.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in