Seventeen Catholic pilgrims from St. Mathias Mulumba Catholic Parish, Mikindani, have died in a road accident at Salama while travelling to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Subukia for the National Prayer Day.
The pilgrims were among the faithful making the journey to Subukia for the Catholic prayer gathering when the accident occurred.
The deaths were confirmed in a statement issued by Most Rev. Martin Kivuva Musonde, who conveyed the condolences of the Catholic Church to the bereaved families, the parish and the wider Archdiocese.
“We are saddened with lots of grief to announce the untimely passing on of seventeen pilgrims from St. Mathias Mulumba, Mikindani, in an accident that occurred at Salama,” the Archbishop said.
He urged priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful to pray for the repose of the souls of those who died and for strength and consolation for their families and the Catholic community affected by the tragedy.
The pilgrims had been travelling to the National Shrine in Subukia, Nakuru County, for the National Prayer Day, an important gathering in the Catholic calendar that brings together thousands of faithful for prayer and worship.
The tragedy has cast a sombre mood over the Catholic community as families and fellow worshippers mourn the loss of the pilgrims who were travelling together in an act of faith.
The Church called on the faithful to remain united in prayer during the difficult period.
“May their souls rest in peace. Amen,” Archbishop Kivuva said.
