Fifteen pilgrims die in Kenya road crash on the way to Subukia shrine

Fifteen pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Mombasa were killed in a road accident at Salama, Kenya, on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as they traveled to the National Marian Shrine of Subukia, in the Diocese of Nakuru, for National Prayer Day 2026. The crash site is about six hours' travel from the shrine.

The archdiocese confirmed the deaths in a statement from the office of Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde. It invited the community to join in prayer for the eternal rest of those who died and for the consolation of their families, of St. Matthias Mulumba parish and of the whole archdiocese.

Bishops' conference president corrects the death toll

Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, president of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), said at a gathering afterward that 15 people had died, correcting the figure of 17 the archdiocese had given earlier. He remembered the pilgrims who never reached the shrine and offered his condolences and those of the bishops' conference.

The bishop of the Archdiocese of Kisumu also took part in the ceremony, where the names of the dead were read out and prayers were offered for their rest, in support of the Mombasa community.

The theme of National Prayer Day 2026

The theme of National Prayer Day 2026 is "Blessed are the peacemakers," which the KCCB described as a call to the faithful to take up their role as peacemakers in their families, their communities and across the country.

Mombasa lost a pilgrim in 2025

The Archdiocese of Mombasa also lost a pilgrim at last year's National Prayer Day. Marcella Mueni died after collapsing while she was getting ready to attend Mass. She was among more than 9,000 pilgrims who traveled from Mombasa for the annual event.