Mwakwere proposes ferry fee

Kenyans may soon start paying for ferry services if a proposal by a Cabinet minister is adopted.

Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, who has come under heavy criticism over frequent ferry breakdown, called for commuters to start paying Sh1 per person to raise funds for buying new vessels.

Mr Mwakwere said the Kenya Ferry Services could raise up to Sh6 million per month if the charge is introduced.

“If Kenya Ferry Services were to charge people Sh1 per person, then they will be making Sh200,000 per day and Sh6 million per month,” the minister said.

Mr Mwakwere said after the arrival of ferries currently being built in Germany, a plan ought to be put in place on how to acquire new ferries in future. One ferry, he said, costs Sh480 million.

Over 200,000 passengers and 3,500 vehicles cross the Likoni channel daily. In the past three months, four ferries have experienced serious mechanical problems leading to traffic delays on and off Mombasa island.

Speaking over the weekend at La Marina restaurant in Mtwapa, the minister said there was need for better systems of ferry management.

According to Mr Mwakwere, Tanzania acquired modern vessels after commuters paid for the services. “It is not easy to get money from the Treasury,” said Mr Mwakwere adding that it was the responsibility of the public to decide whether to follow the Tanzanian system or not.

MV Likoni and MV Kwale, currently being built in Germany, are scheduled to arrive in Kenya on March 27.