Counties

Mtongwe ferry services suspended for the second time in a month

ferry

MV Harambee with a defective prow carries motor vehicles and commuters across the Likoni Channel to the Mombasa Island on September 20, 2017. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NMG

Ferry services at the Mtongwe Channel have been suspended for the second time in a month.

The services were halted indefinitely last Friday after MV Likoni, which operates at the channel, was deployed to the busy Likoni Channel following withdrawal of MV Kwale and MV Kilindini.

Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) corporate services officer Elizabeth Wachira said MV Kwale and MV Kilindini are undergoing repair.

“Engineers are working on the engine of MV Kilindini and for MV Kwale the propeller is what is being repaired. That is why MV Likoni has been brought to Likoni to help operations,” said Ms Wachira.

Relaunched in March

Last month, services were suspended at the Mtongwe Channel, which was officially re-launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in March.

Since the services resumed, they have been suspended at least five times now. On Wednesday, Ms Wachira said the services will resume after the two grounded ferries are repaired.

The frequent suspensions of the services have caused an outcry from commuters and traders.

“We are being frustrated for no reason. Why did they have to relaunch the services to please their masters and leave us going through hard time?

"The services were resumed for political purposes and that is why they cannot sustain the services here,” said Mr David Omondi, who has been using the ferry for the last 13 years.

Another commuter, Shee Khamis, said the resumption of services at the channel had helped him get to town easily but the perennial suspension has forced him to use the Likoni Channel costing him more for bus fare.

Carrying vehicles

Meanwhile, the new ferry, MV Jambo, which operates the Likoni Channel, has been carrying vehicles only leaving people to use the other available ferries.

This is despite operating during morning and evening peak hours to ease congestion.

The commuters are supposed to occupy the upper deck, according to the design of the ferry which was built in Turkey.

Other ferries operating at the Likoni channel are MV Nyayo and MV Harambee.

More than 300,000 people and 6,000 vehicles cross the channel daily.