Security at Likoni ferry beefed up

By BENARD SANGA

Mombasa, Kenya: Security at the  Likoni Ferry crossing channel in Mombasa has been boosted with a combined force of the ferry police, marine police and private security firms manning the facility.

Likoni Ferry terminal, Majengo and Kisauni have been identified by police in Mombasa as hotbeds of crime in the Coast and recently law enforcers announced they had increased intelligence gathering from the three areas to avert any attacks.

According to Mombasa County Police Commander Robert Kitur the ferry police division established barely a month ago has been of great help.

“The private security firm which is contracted by the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) is supposed to carry out the search while the police keep vigil. The personnel at the station will be increased in the coming days,” said Kitur.

A spot check at the ferry revealed  that passengers are screened and vehicles inspected within the waiting bay, which is always crowded.

There is always an armed police officer at the coxswain’s cabin, while the number of security personnel aboard all ferries has been increased.

On Sunday Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa said the government was in the process of establishing scanners at the facility that will scan vehicles and luggage before they entering the ferry.

Estimates from the KFS show that over 200,000 passengers and 3,500 vehicles cross the Likoni channel every day. The public have in the past raised concern over the security at the facility. Pedestrians were in the past allowed into the ferry with luggage without screening despite terror threats.

Some of the ferry users said on Sunday that unlike in the past, they felt safe using the facility. “I cross every day to Kongowea Market and back security has been beefed up unlike the past when it was a big concern,” said Ken Mutiso, who transports vegetables.