New Likoni ferries to have CCTV cameras, seats for the elderly
Passengers disembark from MV Kilindini at the Likoni crossing. Two new ferries fitted with CCTV cameras will be delivered in the next five months, Kenya Ferry Services has said. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The new ferries will have two rescue and emergency boats.
- Each ferry will have a sitting capacity of 1,500 passengers.
- Unlike the old ferries, the new ones will also have washrooms for passengers.
- Mr Gowa said he expected crossing the channel to ease when one of the ferries arrives in December.
The harassment of women passengers on the Likoni crossing channel will be monitored when two ferries fitted with closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras are delivered in the next five months, the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) has said.
Last month, Members of Mombasa County Assembly asked the parastatal to deal with the harassment of women passengers on the vessels.
Some women recently complained that men were deliberately pushing and brushing against them on the congested ferries.
Two new ferries have been ordered from Turkey at a cost of Sh1.9 billion and are expected to be delivered between December 2016 and February 2017.
Each ferry will have a sitting capacity of 1,500 passengers and a designated sitting area for the disabled, elderly and expectant women.
At the moment, passengers, including the sick, must stand while travelling in the old MV Nyayo, MV Harambee and MV Kilindini ferries.
The new ferries will have two rescue and emergency boats.
Unlike the old ferries, the new ones will also have washrooms for passengers.
ALL WILL BE SEATED
KFS Managing director Bakari Gowa told the Nation Tuesday that it would be difficult for passengers to harass others because everyone would be seated.
He said the ferries will improve services on the Likoni crossing and passengers will travel in comfort.
“In the new ferries, passengers will be on the upper deck and vehicles in the lower one,” he said.
Mr Gowa said he expected crossing the channel to ease when one of the ferries arrives in December.
“A team from the ferry services will travel to Turkey soon to see to it that construction is speeded up and delivery deadlines are met,” he said.
He said MV Harambee was being revamped at the African Marine and General Engineering Company in Mombasa.
He added that an engine was being overhauled, the body works improved and two new generators installed.
Mr Gowa said the ferry was expected to resume service in October after the Sh105 million repair work.
