President William Ruto has led Kenyans in mourning the 17 Catholic pilgrims from St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani Parish, who died in a road accident at Salama while travelling to the Subukia National Shrine for the National Prayer Day.
The pilgrims were travelling from Mombasa to Nakuru when the crash occurred at Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
The Catholic Church confirmed that all 17 victims were parishioners of St Mathias Mulumba, Mikindani.
President Ruto expressed his condolences to the families of those who died, as the country joined the Catholic community in mourning the tragic loss of life.
The tragedy occurred as Catholic faithful from across the country gathered at the Subukia National Shrine for the National Prayer Day, turning what was meant to be a pilgrimage of prayer into a day of mourning for the Mikindani parish community.
The victims were remembered as pilgrims who had set out on a journey of faith and prayer, but never reached their destination.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also sent his condolences, saying he had learnt of the Salama crash with great pain.
“My thoughts and prayers are with their families, relatives, and the entire Catholic Church on this National Prayer Day being marked by Catholics at the Subukia Shrine in Nakuru,” Gachagua said.
He extended his sympathies to Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa, the clergy and the wider Catholic fraternity in Kenya.
Gachagua said the departed pilgrims would remain in the hearts of Kenyans as the country prayed for the nation at Subukia.
“As we pray for our nation, we remember the faithful departed deeply in our hearts and pray for comfort for their families,” he said.
He also prayed for the injured, asking God to grant them a swift recovery.
The tragedy has cast a sombre mood over the Catholic community and Kenyans at large, with prayers now being offered for the families, friends and parishioners mourning the 17 pilgrims.
