Work on Sh5b Likoni cable car project begins in November

SUMMARY

• Cable car expected to car 11000 passengers per hour
• Sh5 billion is the estimated cost of project

NAIROBI, KENYA: The 300,000 commuters using the Likoni channel in Mombasa daily may be treated to double relief following a government plan to commission two ferries worth Sh2.1 billion and implement the ambitious cable car project estimated to cost about Sh5 billion.

Construction of the cable car infrastructure is scheduled to start in two to three- month time and will complement the fleet of ferries at the channel.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia made the announcement at the port of Mombasa on Thursday as he waited for the arrival of a new ferry from Turkey to be deployed at the Likoni channel.

The government has ordered for the building of two ferries at a cost of Sh2.1 billion but the second vessel is scheduled to be delivered in November this year. Each of the ferries has a capacity to carry 1350 passengers and 64 cars.

"Construction of the cable car project will start in the next two or three months. Currently, the government is finalising the legal framework with the investment for the project. Each car will be carrying 20 passengers," Macharia explained.

At the same time, Mr Macharia dismissed claim by Mombasa governor Hassan Joho that port services will be transferred to the proposed dry port in Naivasha saying that was mere politics that will die out with the general elections on August 8.

He said instead government was investing heavily in the port expansion, the Dongo Kundu bypass and a special economic zone to be established near the port soon.

"We are not shifting port businesses to Naivasha. Instead government is investing in infrastructure in and around the port to create more jobs," Macharia assured.

He said the government was implementing the first phase of Dongo Kundu at Sh7 billion while phase two will cost Sh12 billion and phase three Sh7 billion.