RIP: Last Painful Words A Businesswoman Told Her Daughter Before She Died Along Mombasa Road

New details have emerged about the final conversation between a Mombasa businesswoman and her daughter before she was among 17 Catholic pilgrims killed in a tragic road accident at Salama along the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.

The pilgrims were travelling from Mombasa to Subukia in Nakuru County to attend the National Prayer Day when their journey was cut short by the deadly crash.

For the families of the victims, the tragedy has left behind grief and painful memories. Among those mourning is Sarah Nashivanda, who lost her mother in the accident.

According to Sarah, her mother left home at about 11pm to begin the journey to the Subukia Shrine. Before leaving, the two had a final conversation in which her mother appeared to make arrangements for her daughter’s future.

Sarah recalled that her mother told her she had left everything to her and encouraged her to take good care of herself. Those words would later become the final message Sarah received from her mother.

The pilgrims were members of St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani Parish, Mombasa. The group included parishioners and choir members, with most of those travelling being women.

They had embarked on the journey with the hope of joining thousands of Catholic faithful at the national shrine for a day of prayer and worship. Instead, the trip ended in tragedy when the group was involved in a collision at Salama.

Reports indicate that a trailer travelling towards Mombasa lost control and collided with several vehicles, including the van carrying the pilgrims.

Sultan Hamud Sub County Hospital confirmed that 17 adults died in the accident. The victims comprised three men and 14 women.

The crash has renewed concerns over the safety of the Salama section of the highway, which residents have described as dangerous. Locals are calling for urgent road repairs and other measures to reduce the risk of further accidents.

Police have meanwhile urged motorists to exercise caution, avoid dangerous overtaking, observe speed limits and obey road signs.

The bodies of the victims were taken to the Sultan Hamud Hospital mortuary as their families prepared for identification and burial arrangements.

President William Ruto expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, members of Mikindani Parish and the wider Catholic community. He also wished those injured in the accident a quick recovery.

For Sarah and the other affected families, the tragedy has transformed what was meant to be a journey of faith into a painful reminder of loved ones lost unexpectedly.

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