Five injured as police disperse crowds at the ferry

Five injured in stampede as police disperse crowds at ferry crossing.

Five people were injured at the Likoni channel as commuters forced their way into the ferry against State directives meant to control the spread of Covid-19.

Police officers were forced to shoot in the air and hurl tear gas canisters to disperse a surging crowd that pelted them with stones.

The commuters claimed the officers were the ones causing congestion.

Chaos began after Coast Regional Coordinator John Elungata left. He said the State had deployed 150 law enforcers to man the channel.

The commuters claimed the orders were cumbersome and favoured motorists and dignitaries. "The commuters pelted the officers with stones sending them scampering for safety. The injured were taken to hospital by Kenya Red Cross officials," said a witness, Ken Odhiambo.

The chaos erupted at 5.15pm.