Likoni ferry crisis at all-time high even as December holiday season approaches

Travellers at the Likoni crossing wait with their luggage for the only ferry that was in operation on December 8, 2015. The ferry crisis hit an all-time high causing a huge traffic jam in Mombasa. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • MV Likoni was the only ferry operating, causing a major crisis at the only crossing linking Mombasa Island and South Coast to Tanzania.
  • The tour operators have expressed fears that if the crisis continues, their businesses at the South Coast will be badly hit at a time when tourism which has been on its knees, is beginning to rise.
  • Finance manager Bakari Gowa said KFS would be forced to use the ferries in their current state until after the New Year holidays.

Hundreds of passengers and motorists at the busy Likoni channel were stranded for hours Monday as the ferry crisis at the crossing hit an all-time high even as the December holidays beckon.

One vessel stalled on the mainland while two others were withdrawn because of mechanical problems.

This resulted into one of the biggest traffic jams to be witnessed along Digo Road in Mombasa Central Business District.

It brought business to a standstill on the busy channel for most of the day Monday.

A large number of buses, trucks, tour vans and other private vehicles were trapped in the jam that stretched for about four kilometres from the channel.

MV Likoni was the only ferry operating, causing a major crisis at the only crossing linking Mombasa Island and South Coast to Tanzania.

Ordinarily, four vessels operate at the channel.

MET HOTELIERS

Monday’s crisis came even as the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) held a meeting with hoteliers and promised them that the four vessels would be operational during the current peak season of Christmas and New Year holidays where hundreds of visitors are expected at the Coast.

The tour operators have expressed fears that if the crisis continues, their businesses at the South Coast will be badly hit at a time when tourism which has been on its knees, is beginning to rise.

“Motorists will have to bear with us. Two of our ferries have mechanical problems and we have to ferry passengers first,” KFS said in a communication from their desk at channel.

MORE MONEY NEEDED

And speaking to the Nation, Managing Director Hassan Musa said about Sh200 million is urgently needed for the repair of the faulty ferries.

He said that the Sh84 million given by the National Treasury to KFS was ‘‘a normal disbursement’’ that was meant to cater for normal bills and for salaries.

In their Monday meeting with tourism stakeholders, KFS gave an assurance that the four ferries will operate during the festive season to facilitate smooth crossing by tourists and other visitors to the South Coast.

Finance manager Bakari Gowa said KFS would be forced to use the ferries in their current state until after the New Year holidays.