Traffic snarl-up at Likoni Channel due to ferry shortage

There was a stampede and traffic snarl-up at the Likoni Channel on Wednesday night after commuters ran over the gates of the Mombasa Island waiting section as they scrambled to cross over to the mainland due to ferry shortage.

The operations were restored after about three hours when Kenya Ferry Service (KFS) officials managed to repair the ferries.

One of the witnesses Omar Sigomba told Standard Digital on phone that the traffic snarl-up at around 8.30 pm on both sides of the channel was as a result of only one ferry operating.

"Commuters are stranded on either side of the Channel. People waiting to cross on foot are agitated with children crying, " he said.

According to Mr Sigomba, the new vessel, MV Jambo which is the largest ferrying the highest capacity appeared to have stuck on the mainland ramp. 

"One Ferr was operating and that's when the traffic congestion build-up. After a while,  they availed a second ferry and later on MV Jambo could navigate again thanks to the efforts of KFS officials," he said.

Irate commuters from the island side of the channel were tired of the long wait to cross over towards South Coast and decided to ran over the gates to board the only ferry offshore. 

"Although this is pure negligence of the KFS rules that requires commuters to board the vessel after the gates are opened. By scrambling to board the ferry, they are endangering their lives," said Sigomba.

KFS is yet to comment on the matter.