Travelers stranded at Likoni channel following services' withdrawal for two ferries

Crisis stares at Likoni ferry channel after Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) put on hold services for two ferries. According to KFS officials, MV Nyayo and MV Likoni got withdrawn following mechanical issues.

Close sources revealed that MV Likoni had its propeller damaged.

"Workers tried to fix it, [propeller], but they did not succeed. The management is now contemplating to send the vessel to African Maritime and General Engineering (Amgeco) for repairs," revealed an anonymous KFS official.

Since Monday, MV Likoni was nowhere to be found, with close sources revealing that it was undergoing repairs and expected to resume soon, while MV Nyayo was grounded on Tuesday. This was in attempt to allow for its maintenance as earlier on stated.

"This is, therefore, to advise you where to avoid necessary rush hours to avoid in any delays. The company subsequently appeals for patience and understanding during this period," read a past statement by KFS.

With the channel having only three operational ferries on Wednesday, travelers have had to endure for many hours to cross, with the officials from KFS finding a hard time to control users rushing to work in the morning hours.

"It was chaotic in the morning. The situation is now a bit calm. Everyone was rushing to get a ferry," reported an officer who was handling the morning situation.

The two grounded ferries add to MV Harambee whose services were suspended in September 2019, following a tragedy that left mother and daughter dead. KFS now heavily relies on MV Jambo.

Reportedly, engineers were working on final touches for MV Safari in Turkey, before its dispatch on Kenyan water masses. The ferry would have been delivered in January 2020, were it not for the delayed installations.