Relatives of parishioners from St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani mourn the loss of 16 church members and the driver after a crash on the Mombasa–Nairobi Highway near Salama.

The victims were travelling to Subukia for an annual pilgrimage when the accident occurred shortly after 3:00 am, following a departure at 2.30 am.

Church officials said the parish had organised two shuttles for the journey, but only one was involved in the crash.

Father Augustine Lape said priests, the dean and the parish priest are providing consolation and coordinating with families on body identification and further arrangements.

The church is acting under the guidance of Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde, currently in Rome, and co‑adjutor Archbishop Dominic Kimengich, and will keep families informed as official information becomes available.

Mikindani Member of County Assembly Jacktone Madialo expressed condolences to the bereaved families, relatives, friends and the Catholic community.

Father Lape also called for greater safety for motorists and other road users, noting the frequency of fatal vehicle incidents on Kenyan roads.

Families are awaiting official communication from the church regarding travel logistics to the crash site and the process for identifying the deceased.