John Kibe: Kenyans honour fallen pilgrim

By Tony Achidria

true @tonylala


Hundreds of pilgrims on the eastern route, mostly Kenyans, converged in Mabira forest Sunday morning for a Mass near the spot where a Kenyan pilgrim was killed in an accident exactly 17 years ago.

The group prayed for John Kibe, who was knocked dead by a speeding vehicle on May 31, 1998 at Lwankima along the Jinja-Kampala highway.

Since then, Kenyan pilgrims have always held prayers there in memory of their fallen countryman.

Kibe was on his way to Namugongo to celebrate Marytrs’ Day when his journey was fatally cut short by a hit-and-run car which was never found.

John Masilal, a 70-year-old pilgrim who also did the pilgrimage in 1998, said Kibe was a very devoted Christian, and he believes he is in heaven.

Despite exhaustion, the pilgrims were in celebratory mood at that spot. They sang and danced vigorously to songs of praise.

They prayed for peace, unity and love and asked for their sins to be forgiven.

The Mass ended shortly after 11.00am local time after Holy Communion and the pilgrims got back on the road, destined for Namagunga – their next stopover before proceeding to Namugongo on Monday after a night’s rest.



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