The accident that claimed the lives of 17 Catholic pilgrims has been linked to careless driving by truck driver who was dangerously overtaking several vehicle on the busy Mombasa- Nairobi highway.
The pilgrims were travelling to the National Shrine in Subukia for the National Prayer Day when the accident occurred around 1am in the morning on Saturday.
It is also suspected that the truck carrying ballast that rammed into the vehicle that the pilgrims were traveling in may have lost the brakes.
Makueni County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi said the truck was travelling from Nairobi to Mombasa and on arriving at the scene of the accident, the vehicle overtook a number of vehicles using the climbing lane.
“The driver’s desperate attempt to return to his lane was futile as he hit another truck with more than 5 other vehicles hence ramming into each other,” said the Commissioner
Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonda of the Archdiocese of Mombasa who first shared the news appeals to Kenyans to pray for the families of the departed.
“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,” Kivuva Musonde stated
President William Ruto said he was deeply saddened by the loss and sent his heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, parishioners and the entire Catholic community mourning the tragedy.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also sent his condolences following the crash.
“My thoughts and prayers are with their families, relatives, and the entire Catholic Church on this National Prayer Day being marked by Catholics at the Subukia Shrine in Nakuru,” he said.
