All set for shipment of Sh1bn ferries

To date, mv Kilindini awaits its cannibalised engines to be repaired and prow replaced before resuming operations. Mr Kamau said: “These ferries have become fuel guzzlers and whatever income we get from our daily collection from motorists is inadequate to service them and pay our workers.”

But a source within the board felt the corporation’s workforce was “bloated” and a strain to the government. He asked: “How can 216 employees work for only five ferries? This translates to about 50 people working for only one ferry, which is absurd.” The Mombasa and Coast Tourism Association chairman John Cleave recently warned of “business flight” to neighbouring Tanzania if the situation on the Likoni Channel was not improved.

Reported by Swenja Kopp, Philip Muyanga and Mwakera