The family of the late Mariam Kighenda and her 4-year-old daughter, who died following the tragic Likoni Ferry tragedy, were ordered by Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) to seek compensation in court.
On October 16, The Standard reported that KFS Managing Director Bakari Gowa stated that the family should look for a legal counsel if they were after any sort of compensation.
"The issue of compensation will not be easy, the family will have to hire a lawyer to go to court," he announced
He admitted that on the previous day, the government agency had handed the family of the deceased Ksh 200,000 to cater for the funeral expenses.
However, Gowa was adamant that the money was in no way meant as compensation for the tragedy.
"It is true we issued two cheques of Ksh 200,000 to the widower, John Wambua and Mariam's father, Peter Mwaghongo to support burial arrangements," the KFS boss stated.
Wambua is also reported to have been compensated for the vehicle that plunged into the Indian Ocean while aboard the ferry.
The vehicle had a comprehensive insurance cover and the widower filed a claim with Mayfair Insurance.
According to the Daily Nation, he received a cheque of Ksh 682,500 from the company after filing the claim on October 7.
Gowa went on to reveal that KFS had insured its fleet of six ferries at an annual cost of Ksh80 million.
