Commuters stranded after ferries breakdown

• Three of the four ferries develop mechanical problems
• Delays cause traffic jam on both sides of the channel.
• New vessels to be commissioned at the end of the year.

Thousands of commuters were stranded for hours at the Likoni ferry channel after three of the four ferries developed mechanical problems on Thursday.

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Only MV Harambee was ferrying commuters and motorists across the channel.

The delays caused a major traffic jam on both sides of the channel.

Commuters scrambled for space in the rush to get to their places of work. Security guards watched helplessly as the crowds shoved and shouted.

However, when Kenya Ferry Services managers sensed that the situation was getting out of control, they called in the police to restore calm.

Although another ferry, the MV Kilindini, resumed work later in the morning, it was not enough to ease the traffic chaos on both the Mombasa mainland and the island.

Mr Suleiman Said, a tea transporter from Tanzania, said he had arrived at the ferry crossing by 5am but had not been able to cross by 8am.

“Vehicles are not moving. The Government should do something,” he said.

The driver wondered how ferries that had been “operating normally” on Wednesday had suddenly broken down. He said he suspected workers were on a on go-slow.

However, Kenya Ferry Services managing director John Ria dismissed the claims, saying two ferries had developed mechanical problems during the morning peak hour.

“There is no go-slow here. Some of our ferries have developed mechanical problems,” he said. According to him, the ferries had to be withdrawn for repairs.

New vessels

He said the ferries were old but promised the problem would soon end when new vessels are commissioned at the end of the year.

“Two ferries, MV Pwani and MV Nyayo, are having mechanical problems and we are waiting for spare parts,” he said.

According to him, there was a shortage of iron and this was to blame for delays in repairing the ferries.