At least 17 Catholic pilgrims killed in multi-vehicle collision in Kenya

A fatal crash involving multiple vehicles in Kenya's Salama area has left at least 17 people dead, most of whom were Catholic pilgrims traveling to a prayer site.

The collision occurred after midnight on the highway connecting Nairobi to the coastal city of Mombasa, Al Jazeera reported. According to police, the crash was triggered when a truck driver attempted to overtake another truck but failed, resulting in a collision with several vehicles, including a van carrying the pilgrims.

The 17 victims, which included the van's driver and 16 passengers, died at the scene. Kenyan media noted the pilgrims were traveling in a 14-seater minibus, and police confirmed that the majority of those who perished were women. Martin Kivuva, the archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, stated the group was heading toward a prayer site in Nakuru County.

President William Ruto expressed his condolences to the families and the Catholic community following the tragedy. Meanwhile, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the crash.

The NTSA identified the specific stretch of road in the Salama area as a known "black spot." While investigators have been dispatched, the authority noted that recommendations had previously been made to address safety concerns regarding that route.

Background

Road safety remains a significant issue in the region, with the NTSA reporting 5,009 road traffic deaths in Kenya last year and 2,150 deaths during the first six months of 2026.