PM rejects plan to charge ferry passengers

Prime minister Raila Odinga has opposed a suggestion that commuters pay a fee for ferry services.

Mr Odinga said Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) should continue to offer free services to the public since the parastatal was being subsidised by the government.

Former Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere last month proposed that KFS start charging a shilling to ferry passengers so as to raise funds for the purchase of new vessels and for improvement of services.

Two new ferries, which the government bought from Germany, are expected to arrive in Mombasa next month.

Mr Mwakwere received support from KFS top officials, but local leaders opposed the move.

Proposed fee

Tourism minister Najib Balala was among leaders who opposed the proposed fee.

He said most of the people who board the vessels were poor and travel on the Likoni Channel daily to seek odd jobs on the island.

Addressing councillors at Mombasa Town Hall on Monday, the PM ruled out the plan, saying the ferry services must remain free to the public.

“There is no way the government can allow passengers to pay a fee for ferry services. KFS is being subsidised by the government so as to offer free services,” he said.