Panic as ferries stall at Likoni channel

• One of the new ferries got stuck on the main ramp at the Likoni channel, blocking other vessels from disembarking
• More drama when another vessel MV Kwale that was coming from the mainland stalled midstream and started drifting

Recent interview

In a recent interview with KFS managing director Musa Hassan Musa, he said the tender will be re-advertised to ensure transparency in the procurement process.

Mr Musa said current ramps (landing infrastructure) only accommodates two ferries at one time and there is need to expand the ramps to accommodate at least three ferries to ease vehicular and human traffic at the channel.

“We have given more time to bidders to access the cost and any information of repairing and expanding the ramps before we place the tender,” said Mr Musa.

The MD said the tender will also give time KFS management time to borrow money from the treasury to fund the project.

The expansion of the Likoni ferry landing ramps on both Island and Mainland is to provide symmetrical ramp surface and 40 metre sea front landing area of the new ferries while at Peleleza mooring jetty will allow more space to dock the vessels while on regular maintenance.

The project is expected to take not less than six months once the tender is awarded and unconfirmed reports indicate that there are some businessmen who have grabbed a section of land on the mainland side where ramp is expected to be expanded.