Kenyan archdiocese holds memorial Mass for Catholics killed on way to National Prayer Day

The Archdiocese of Mombasa held a memorial Mass on Oct. 8 for 17 pilgrims killed in a road accident while traveling to Nakuru in northwestern Kenya. The victims, who were traveling to the Subukia National Marian Shrine for the country’s National Prayer Day, included 14 women, two men, and their driver.

Relatives, friends, and parishioners gathered at St. Mathias Mulumba Church in the Mikindani district to honor the deceased, all of whom were members of the parish. Coadjutor Archbishop Dominic Kimengich of Mombasa told the congregation that the pilgrims were people of faith whose journey to know God was not in vain.

The accident occurred on the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway when a truck lost control, involving multiple vehicles. Following a candlelight vigil held at the parish on Oct. 7, families transported the bodies to different parts of Kenya for separate burials.