Mombasa Governor Nassir calls for permanent ban of vehicles from Likoni ferry crossing

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has proposed a ban on vehicles using the Likoni ferry crossing, suggesting that they instead utilise the Dongo Kundu bypass.

Abdulswamad announced that discussions are ongoing with Transport Cabinet Secretary Transport Davis Chirchir about potentially restricting ferry services at the Likoni channel to pedestrians only.

Speaking on the issue, Nassir highlighted the necessity of permanently banning vehicles from the ferry, citing safety concerns and the need to enhance efficiency for foot passengers.

“It is going to be our proposal and our standing that we are going to put a permanent ban on vehicles,” Nassir stated.

He added that consultations will also involve key stakeholders, including the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), to ensure that the transition is smooth. He stressed that the ferry is primarily a social service and not a commercial one, and prioritising the safety of human lives is of utmost importance.

“The ferry is not a commercial service that the KPA runs, and in the interests of safety, we value human life far more. We would prefer the ferries to be dedicated exclusively to foot passengers,” he explained. According to the governor, this proposal aims to eliminate the disruptions caused by vehicles and handcarts (mkokoteni), which have often resulted in congestion and delays for passengers.

Nassir visited the accident survivors, confirming that all passengers who suffered minor injuries had been treated and discharged.

Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Acting Director General Julius Koech reassured ferry users that all necessary safety measures are in place, emphasising that the ferries are safe for operation. He addressed concerns arising from the Sunday morning incident at the Likoni crossing, where a minibus bound for Ukunda overturned while trying to disembark from the ferry.

Ferries at the Likoni Crossing Channel. (Photo: Ferry Kenya)

“We have been working closely with the Kenya Ports Authority to ensure that all safety standards are adhered to and that any inefficiencies identified during inspections are promptly addressed. We are committed to ensuring that ferry operations remain safe,” Koech said.

Earlier in the day, a group of passengers narrowly escaped death when a minibus failed to navigate the steep incline at the Likoni crossing and overturned.

The bus, which had come from Machakos County, was carrying six passengers, including a mother and her two children. Fortunately, most passengers had disembarked before the ferry made its crossing to the mainland side of the channel.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bus was obstructed by an overloaded handcart, which blocked its path as it tried to ascend the steep hill. The driver, attempting to avoid a plunge into the ocean, reversed the bus back onto the ferry, but the vehicle lost balance and overturned at the prow.

Emergency services swiftly evacuated the passengers, preventing further casualties.

According to the Kenya Red Cross Society, a total of nine people were injured in the incident. Seven of them were treated at the scene, while two others were taken to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CPGH) for further treatment.

Beatrice Ngesa, one of the survivors, recounted the terrifying moment when the bus overturned. “The vehicle was moving off the ferry when it suddenly reversed and overturned. We were screaming for help, but luckily the children were rescued in time,” she said from her hospital bed at CPGH.

Another witness, Issack Yasin, blamed the accident on the overloaded mkokoteni, which struggled to ascend the steep hill and caused an obstruction. Yasin called on the authorities to enforce stricter regulations on hand carts at the ferry crossing to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

“The mkokoteni was struggling to climb, and it started causing a blockage. It was raining, and the bus couldn’t gain enough traction to climb the hill. The driver did everything he could to save lives,” Yasin said.

Chania Executive Bus official, Lucky Samba, confirmed that the mkokoteni had obstructed the bus, leading to the accident. He urged the government to address the issue of overloaded carts, which pose significant risks to both pedestrians and vehicles at the ferry crossing.