At least 17 Catholic pilgrims died in a multi-vehicle crash at Salama in Makueni County in the early hours of Saturday, 3 October 2026. They were parishioners of St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani Parish, travelling to the National Shrine in Subukia, Nakuru, for the National Prayer Day.
Reports say a lorry lost control after a suspected brake failure shortly after midnight and struck several vehicles, including the matatu carrying the pilgrims.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa named the dead, among them Janet Miito, Florence Atieno, Jane Mwakamba, Josephat Mekonge and Samuel Mwanyasi. One parishioner who missed the van because there was no seat later said the delay may have saved his life.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir ordered a multi-agency probe, and the National Transport and Safety Authority deployed a team to the scene. Post-mortem examinations were scheduled for Sunday at Sultan Hamud Hospital in Makueni. The crash has renewed calls for stricter checks on heavy commercial vehicles on the Nairobi–Mombasa highway.
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