By Francis Ngahu Ndatha
SUBUKIA, OCTOBER 3, 2026 (CISA) – Thousands of pilgrims gathered at the National Marian Shrine in Subukia for Kenya’s National Prayer Day, under the theme “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Mt 5:9). The Mass was animated by the Kisumu Metropolitan Province and presided over by Most Rev. Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Archbishop of Kisumu. Its celebration was overshadowed by the deaths of 17 faithful from St Mathias Mulumba Parish, Mikindani, Mombasa Archdiocese, who died in a road accident at Salama while travelling to the shrine.
In his homily, Rt. Rev. Mark Kadima, Bishop of Bungoma, drew on the day’s Gospel, and on the prophet Isaiah’s vision of the Prince of Peace. He said that leaders have a duty to bring peace, and he named humility as the way to do it. Humble leaders are approachable, listen to advice, and do not need violence to succeed, he said. He also spoke against greed, which he had raised earlier in the Mass, and reminded the faithful to be content with what they have.
The bishop urged the faithful to be responsible in their conduct, since a person cannot resemble the Heavenly Father without accepting that responsibility.
The Mass was offered for the souls of the departed. In its letter of 3 October, the Archdiocese of Mombasa named the 17 pilgrims as Janet Miito, Florence Atieno, Jane Mwakamba, Josephat Mekonge, Hilkah Orina, Linah Akinyi, Veronicah Musyimi, Martha Nzyoki, Ann Mwanthi, Sarapia Mwarimbo, Scholastica Ochieng, Catherine Joseph, Beatrice Oluoch, Veronica Ngandi, Regina Mwai, Samuel Muigai and Samuel Mwanyasi. The archdiocese asked parish priests to offer prayer intentions for their repose at the Sunday Masses on 4 October.
On Sunday, 4 October, the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Coadjutor Archbishop of Mombasa, Most Rev. Dominic Kimengich, celebrated Mass at St Mathias Mulumba Catholic Church, Mikindani, a day after the parish lost the 17 parishioners.
The Kisumu Metropolitan Province comprises the Archdiocese of Kisumu and the Dioceses of Eldoret, Kisii, Kakamega, Lodwar, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Kitale and Kapsabet. The next National Prayer Day, on 2 October 2027, will be animated by the Nairobi Metropolitan Province, which comprises eight dioceses.
