Catholic pilgrims among 17 killed in Kenya highway crash

Catholic pilgrims traveling to a prayer gathering in Kenya were among 17 people killed in an Oct. 3 highway crash, according to reports.

Traveling for the annual Catholic National Prayer Day at a national shrine, the pilgrims were caught in a multi-vehicle crash shortly after midnight. Police said a truck driver’s attempt to pass another truck caused the collision on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, AP reported Oct. 3. 

Following the incident, Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) described the crash site as a “blackspot” in an Oct. 3 statement, urging motorists to proceed with “extreme caution” in the area.

Archbishop Martin Kivuva of Mombasa identified those killed as 17 pilgrims from St. Mathias Mulumba Parish in Mikindani in an Oct. 3 statement, according to People.

“Let us pray for the repose of their souls as we pray for their families, St. Mathias Mulumba parish and the Archdiocese as a whole, so that we may find solace and consolation in the Lord,” Archbishop Kivuva wrote, according to the outlet.

The archdiocese held special prayers for the victims, Capital FM reported Oct. 4.

Kenyan President William Ruto offered his condolences in an X post.

“Our heartfelt condolences go to the families, friends, parishioners and the entire Catholic community who are mourning this painful loss,” he wrote.

In its Oct. 3 statement, the NTSA said several others injured in the collision were receiving treatment. The agency said an investigation into the crash was ongoing.