Man recounts how last-minute change saved him from Salama crash that claimed 17 lives

• A decision by the parish Catholic Men's Association Chairman led to Korir travelling by bus after he was informed there was no space in the vehicle involved in the accident.

Cornelius Korir was among those who had planned to travel with the 16 pilgrims who perished in a road accident in Salama, Makueni County.

A decision by the parish Catholic Men's Association Chairman led to Korir travelling by bus after he was informed there was no space in the vehicle involved in the accident.

It saved his life.

Korir returned from Subukia on Tuesday morning and recounted the painful moments he spent praying without his friends, whom he had been in contact with until around 9:00 pm last Friday.

Korir arrived at St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mombasa from Subukia, a morning he never expected would be marked by the loss of 16 pilgrims he knew very well and had been in contact with, anticipating that he would meet them in Subukia for prayers.

Korir was representing the Catholic Men's Association, CMA, and had answered the call to travel with his fellow pilgrims.

But on Wednesday, September 30, two days before the journey, he received a call informing him that there was no space in the vehicle they had hired.

"Our litagist, Bwana Kibaso, alinipigia simu akiniambia gari imejaa na kwa sababu tulikuwa tumejitolea kama CMA, mpaka tupate mtu wa kwenda huko, kama inawezekana uende kivyako lakini tutakulipia tikiti," Korir said.

The 40-year-old agreed to the request and was sent the bus fare.

After leaving work, he headed to the bus station and bought a ticket for Friday to Subukia.

But an hour after leaving Changamwe Bus Station, Korir received another call informing him that a seat had become available in the vehicle carrying the pilgrims.

"Mweka hazina wetu akanipigia simu akasema nafasi imepatikana. Kama hujakata tikiti usikate, nafasi imepatikana. Nikamwambia nishapata. Kumbe alikuwa ameshajulishwa kuna nafasi lakini akachelewa kuniambia, sababu alipewa information na mwenyekiti wa parokia, akambiwa kuna nafasi. So alipoambiwa hakupata time ya kunipigia simu mchana, kutoka saa saba hadi saa kumi," Korir said.

It was at this point that Korir says he escaped death by a whisker.

On Friday night, during the journey, he remained in contact with his fellow pilgrims, hoping they would arrive safely in Subukia.

Their last conversation was at around 9:00 pm.

News of their deaths left him devastated, so much so that he arrived late for the prayers in Subukia.

"Nikashtuka hakuna mtu mwenye ako karibu na wewe na unawajua, wenye walikuwa kwa hiyo gari ilikuwa uchungu," Korir said.

He said the tragedy affected him even as he attended prayers in Subukia.

"Hata nilichelewa nikafika kule, ndiyo anahubiri, masomo ilikuwa imesomwa, lakini kwa mawazo yangu ilikuwa kwa wale wenye wamepoteza maisha yao," he said.

Preparations are ongoing at St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church for a requiem mass expected to be conducted on Thursday.