Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sent a message of condolence following the tragic road accident along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway that claimed the lives of 17 Catholic pilgrims.
Gachagua said he learnt of the crash at Salama in Makueni County with great pain, conveying his sympathies to the families of those who died and the wider Catholic community.
The victims were pilgrims from St Matthias Mulumba Catholic Parish in Mikindani, Mombasa, who were travelling to Subukia Shrine in Nakuru County to take part in the National Prayer Day being marked by Catholics.
“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,” Gachagua said.
He also addressed Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa, the clergy and Catholic faithful across Kenya, asking them to accept his condolences following the tragedy.
The crash occurred in the early hours of Saturday at Mlima Kiu in the Salama area, along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
Police reports indicated that the accident involved several vehicles after a Sinotruk lorry travelling towards Mombasa allegedly lost control while overtaking. The lorry collided with other vehicles before hitting a Toyota Hiace matatu carrying passengers.
The matatu driver and several passengers died at the scene, while the Sinotruk driver and other occupants were also killed. Seven survivors were reported injured and were taken to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for treatment.
The victims' bodies were moved to the Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital mortuary as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash continued.
In his message, Gachagua urged Kenyans to remember the deceased as Catholics gathered for prayers at Subukia Shrine.
“As we pray for our nation, we remember the faithful departed deeply in our hearts and pray for comfort for their families,” he said.