SALAMA AREA — A crash involving multiple vehicles on the highway to Mombasa, Kenya, killed 17 people. Most of the victims were Catholic pilgrims traveling to a prayer site in Nakuru County.

The collision occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday in the Salama area, approximately 90 kilometers southeast of Nairobi. Police stated the crash occurred when a truck driver attempted and failed to overtake another truck, causing a collision with other vehicles including a van carrying pilgrims. Kenyan media reported that the pilgrims were traveling in a 14-seater minibus. Most of the deceased passengers were women.

President William Ruto offered condolences to the families, friends, parishioners and the entire Catholic community. Martin Kivuva, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, said in a statement that he and others were saddened with lots of grief over the deaths. The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa has organized the National Prayer Day at the Subukia Shrine annually since 2005, with attendance exceeding 10,000 pilgrims in recent years. William Ruto said people were mourning this painful loss.

The National Transport and Safety Authority launched an investigation into the crash and stated it dispatched investigators to establish the full circumstances leading to the collision. The authority called upon all motorists to exercise extreme caution, avoid dangerous overtaking and strictly observe lane discipline. It identified the stretch where the crash happened as a known “black spot” and noted that recommendations to address safety concerns had been made.

Why It Matters

Local media reported that Kenya recorded 5,009 road traffic deaths last year. Local media reported that road traffic deaths were reported in Kenya in the first six months of 2026. The identification of the Salama area as a black spot by the NTSA shows specific infrastructure and behavioral challenges that have persisted despite previous recommendations.

Timeline

Local media reported that Kenya recorded 5,009 road traffic deaths last year on December 31, 2025. Local media reported that road traffic deaths were reported in Kenya in the first six months of 2026 on June 30, 2026. A truck collision occurred at Mlima Kiu in the Salama area of Makueni County on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway shortly after midnight on Saturday, October 3, 2026, killing 17 people, including 16 Catholic pilgrims traveling to a prayer site. A crash involving multiple vehicles on the highway to Mombasa, Kenya, killed 17 people on October 3, 2026. Kenyan media reported that the pilgrims were traveling in a 14-seater minibus on October 3, 2026. Martin Kivuva, archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, said in a statement that he and others were saddened with lots of grief over the deaths on October 3, 2026.

What's New

The National Transport and Safety Authority has conducted multiple investigations into fatal road accidents on the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, including a 2023 incident that resulted in 12 fatalities, which led to recommendations for improved signage and lane markings.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa has a long history of organizing religious pilgrimages, including annual events to the Subukia National Shrine, where the victims were headed for the National Prayer Day. The Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa has a long history of organizing pilgrimages to the Subukia National Shrine, with annual events drawing thousands of participants, including the group involved in the Salama crash. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) was established in 2012 under the National Transport and Safety Authority Act, which outlines its mandate to regulate road transport and safety across Kenya.