Parliamentary committee probes Mombasa ferry puzzle

By Standard Correspondent

The Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Transport Public Works and Housing will extend its inquiry over the missing Sh500 million for purchase of new ferries.

The Kenya Anti Corruption Commission (KACC) has also moved in to probe the Kenya Ferry Services (KF) over the alleged misuse of funds.

Reliable sources told The Standard officers from KACC moved into the KFS offices on Thursday and have been interrogating top management officials.

The source said KACC could institute legal proceedings against embezzlers of money allocated for ferry purchase.

The committee, which toured KFS installations last week, has not been furnished with contract documents between the manufacturers of the ferries and KFS, The Standard also established.

"There is confusion over who received the initial instalments from KFS, monies that were provided for by the Government."

"Until such a time that contractual documents are provided, then shall the committee know who deal with,’’ a source privy to the committees work told The Standard.

The committee that is chaired by Matungu member of parliament David Were, visited KFS headquarters last week.

Meanwhile, tourism stakeholders at the Coast have added their voice to the growing discontent on ferry woes and urged the Government to ensure an open inquiry into the probe over missing cash.

" The ferry service forms a vital link between Mombasa island and the greater South Coast that is dotted with world class tourist investments,’’ Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association chairman, Mr John Cleave said.