MOMBASA: Hundreds stranded as ferries stall
What you need to know:
- Hundreds of passengers got stranded on both sides of the channel as ferries were said to have developed mechanical problems.
- Only MV Kwale was operational but seemingly unable to cope with the number of vehicles and passengers.
- Tourists from the Moi International Airport, national parks and the South Coast were among those stranded.
Travellers at the Likoni channel were delayed for several hours on Wednesday evening following the break down of four ferries from 6.30pm.
Hundreds of passengers got stranded on both sides of the channel as ferries were said to have developed mechanical problems.
Only MV Kwale was operational but seemingly unable to cope with the number of vehicles and passengers.
Tourists from the Moi International Airport, national parks and the South Coast were among those stranded.
Mr Vozar Igor and his wife Mrs Igor who were travelling from the airport said they had been delayed for three hours.
“We arrived here at 7pm. It’s now 9.30pm and we are still waiting for the ferry to come. We expected to reach our hotel early but this was not possible”, he said.
Mr Miklos Pamlenyi, a director at ABN Atlantis Inc said he was from Nyali when he arrived at the channel only to find a long queue of vehicles.
“We have been here for more than three hours and we don’t know when we shall cross leave alone reach home in the South Coast”, he said.
MV Kilindini which had been at the Kenya Marine for service was brought to the channel but broke down soon after.
By late Wednesday, MV Harambee, MV Likoni and MV Nyayo were still not operational.
