The National Police Service (NPS) on Sunday, July 16, advised motorists plying the Nairobi-Mombasa route to access the South Coast via the Samburu-Kinango Road as opposed to using the Likoni Ferry.
In a notice, NPS indicated that the alternative route will decongest the Likoni Ferry - which was experiencing a traffic snarl-up from 2:00 pm.
The Samburu-Kinango Road connects Kwale County to the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway at Samburu and runs all the way to Kinango Town.
Videos that circulated online showed the worsening situation prompting communication from the ferry personnel informing motorists to exercise patience while boarding the MV Nyayo.
"Kindly, let's be patient as we wait for the vehicles to enter inside. Those seeking to board MV Nyayo, let's preserve our safety. The door will not be able to accommodate all of you," one of the personnel stated.
A section of motorists faulted the digital payment system for causing the delay and subsequent traffic jam at the ferry.
"One solution to avoid that massive traffic jam, get rid of the new payment system. It can't work there," Ephraim Kiboi stated.
"The ferry shutters (doors) have been in a mess for a better part of this year. Are we waiting for a disaster so that we can act?" Prince Munyiah wondered.
Others opined that the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) should reopen the Likoni pedestrian bridge to enable traffic flow.
"We're coating a disaster like what happened to ferry Mtongwe. Kindly open the floating bridge to decongest the ferry," Duncan Junior stated.
The bridge was closed in June 2023 as KPA Managing Director William Ruto launched the night pilotage of oil tankers. He added that the 24-hour operations at the Ksh40 billion Kipevu oil terminal would enhance efficiency at the Mombasa port.
“This will help in lowering the price of petroleum products because the importers will not incur more expenses which they always pass on to consumers when ships take longer time in the port discharging their cargo,” the MD stated.
