At least 17 people were killed in a major multi-vehicle crash on the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway in Kenya, with the victims identified as pilgrims travelling to a religious site in Nakuru County.

The collision occurred shortly after midnight in the Salama area of Makueni County. Police said a truck travelling toward Mombasa was involved in a chain of collisions after an overtaking manoeuvre, eventually striking a 14-seater passenger vehicle carrying the pilgrims.

According to Kenyan reports, the pilgrims were members of St. Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church in Mikindani, Mombasa. They were travelling toward the Subukia National Shrine in Nakuru County for prayers.

The impact involved several vehicles and caused extensive damage. Police and emergency teams reached the scene and transported injured survivors to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for treatment. Reports said several other people were injured, while investigators began documenting the crash site.

Authorities have started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision. The damaged vehicles were taken into police custody for inspection as investigators work to establish the sequence of events and determine the factors that contributed to the tragedy.

The crash has again highlighted the dangers faced by passengers and commercial motorists on major Kenyan highways, particularly where heavy trucks and passenger vehicles share busy transport corridors.

Church officials expressed grief over the loss of the pilgrims, while police urged motorists to exercise greater caution on the country’s roads as investigations continue.