Govt sets aside Sh1.1bn for purchase of new ferries, repairs

The government has allocated Sh1.1 billion to the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) for the purchase of new ferries and repair of old ones.

KFS acting managing director Bakari Gowa Tuesday the money had been allocated in the 2016/2017 budget for improving services on the Likoni channel.

Out of this amount, Sh500 million will be used for purchase of two new ferries from Turkey, he said.

In the 2014/2015 financial year, he added, KFS received Sh600 million for the new ferries while in the current financial year the firm was to receive Sh968 million.

The Sh500 million allocation will complete the payment of the two new ferries which will cost the exchequer Sh1.9 billion.

Mr Gowa said KFS would also receive Sh360 million from the Treasury in the next financial year for the repair of old ferries and Sh260 million for improvement of security.

FOUR FERRIES OPERATING

At the moment, he added, only four ferries MV Likoni, MV Nyayo, MV Kilindini and MV Kwale are operating on the channel while MV Harambee was withdrawn for repairs.

KFS engineers are currently installing two new engines on MV Harambee.

The engines were bought at a cost of Sh22 million.

The ferry is expected to resume operations in August after undergoing underwater repair works at a cost of Sh80 million.

The KFS boss said the firm was procuring two generators for MV Kwale at Sh14 million and also spare parts for the overhaul of engines for the other vessels.

Speaking at the KFS offices in Mombasa, Mr Gowa thanked the government for funding the purchase of the new ferries and repair of the old ones.

He noted that the designing of the new ferries was completed in May, adding that the construction of the vessels is expected to begin in July.

“We expect the new ferries to be delivered to us in January next year to help improve services to ferry-users,” he said.