Antony Chawagarira
NAIROBI, Kenya — At least 17 people, including Catholic pilgrims, were killed in a horrific road accident in Kenya’s Salama area along the highway to the coastal city of Mombasa early Saturday morning.
The victims died when a minibus carrying the pilgrims was involved in a collision after a truck reportedly attempted to overtake another heavy vehicle, according to Kenyan authorities.
The pilgrims were travelling to a prayer site in Nakuru County, west of Nairobi, when tragedy struck.
Police said the minibus driver and passengers died at the scene, while people travelling in the truck were also among those killed.
The accident has plunged the Catholic community into mourning, with Archbishop Martin Kivuva of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa expressing his grief over the deaths.
President William Ruto also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families, friends, parishioners and the wider Catholic community following the tragedy.
Kenya’s National Transport and Safety Authority urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, avoid dangerous overtaking and observe lane discipline to prevent further loss of life on the country’s roads.
Authorities said the section of the highway where the accident occurred had previously been identified as a black spot, with recommendations made to improve safety along the stretch.
Road accidents remain a major concern across Africa, with speeding, dangerous overtaking, poorly maintained vehicles and unsafe road conditions frequently contributing to fatal crashes.
The latest tragedy has renewed calls for motorists and transport operators to prioritise road safety as authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
