Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna on Tuesday, October 29, revealed measures taken by the government to prevent further tragedies at the Likoni Channel following the drowning of Mariam Kighenda and her four-year daughter Amanda Mutheu.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Maisha, Oguna stated that the driver and the occupants of a vehicle would be required to step out of the vehicle once aboard the ferry.
"There’s also order in how people get into the ferry as compared to what was there before," he stated.
A resident who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, however, revealed that the order for drivers and occupants had not been enforced at the ferry.
"The ramp is still not fixed. The only thing they have done is to put a chain that is meant to stop vehicles in the event they roll back," the resident told this writer on the phone.
On Wednesday, October 23, a report tabled by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo junior revealed the poor state of the five ferries operated by the Kenya Ferry Services.
Describing the vessels as potential death traps, the Senate report declared MV Kwale, MV Nyayo, MV Kilindini, MV Harambee and MV Likoni as dysfunctional and unseaworthy vessels.
Earlier in October, MV Likoni Ferry stalled mid-journey while transporting passengers across the Likoni Channel.
