New ferry to arrive at Likoni channel in December, says PS

MV Likoni Ferry crosses the Likoni Channel in the Indian Ocean. (Photo: Maarufu Mohammed/Standard)

One of the two high-capacity ferries Kenya is buying to ease crossings at the Likoni and Mtongwe channels in Mombasa will arrive in December.

Transport Principal Secretary Irungu Nyakera said the vessel would be deployed at the Mtongwe channel, which has been without a ferry since 2012 after the Kenya Ferry Services withdrew the faulty MV Mvita and MV Pwani.

“The other ferry will arrive mid next year,” Mr Nyakera yesterday, adding, “We are also expanding other infrastructure including construction of ramps at the Likoni channel.”

The Likoni channel is used by over 300,000 passengers and 6,000 vehicles daily. The two vessels are being built by a Turkish company.