Motorists' use of Likoni ferry restricted to end confusion

Vehicles and motorcycles have been barred from using ferries at the Likoni Channel for close to 10 hours, every day, to facilitate seamless movement of commuters.

Between 5am and 11am, and in the afternoon between 2pm and 6pm, all the four ferries will only carry commuters in new measures announced by national and county government officials to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Yesterday, it also emerged that the national government was contemplating suspending ferry services during the curfew if the chaos witnessed last week recurs.

Interior Chief Administration Secretary Hussein Dado said ferry services would be suspended indefinitely if there was no order.

Mr Dado arrived in Mombasa on Saturday to oversee enforcement of the curfew and measures aimed at containing the contagious Covid-19 in the Coast.

“Let no one mislead people that the curfew at the ferry is at 8.30pm. The curfew starts at 7pm and commuters are supposed to be in the house by then and not at the ferry,” said Dado.

Dado said the curfew will be enforced in the Coast where three counties - Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale - have emerged as the hot spots in the spread of Covid-19.

“If the curfew will not be adhered to then the government will not hesitate to suspend ferry services or place Mombasa in a lockdown,” he said.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has called on the national government to place the country under a total lockdown to eradicate the virus.

“History will judge us harshly if we do not do all in our power to contain the spread of this virus. I advocate for a total lockdown of the country but I know we must talk and agree on how we will facilitate people to get food,” said Joho.