President William Ruto has announced plans to introduce a new ferry at the Likoni crossing, Mombasa County, by December.
According to the President, the new ferry will be built in December this year at a cost of Ksh3 billion.
“I’ve just witnessed the people of Mombasa trying to cross the sea using the ferry this morning. I want to tell you that my government is building you a new ferry before December this year at a cost of Ksh3 billion,” stated President Ruto.
The President affirms that this decision comes from the congestion that is often witnessed on a daily basis when people try to move from one point to another.
Moreover, the President has also announced a Ksh5 billion investment in Mtongwe, also with the aim of improving mobility in the region.
“In Mtongwe as well, we are investing another Ksh5 billion to make sure that mobility is improved in the county,” stated President Ruto.
The ferry witnesses about 15,000 to 30,000 commuters, while approximately 300,000 pedestrians and 6,000 vehicles cross both channels daily combined.
Residents of Mtongwe have long battled unreliable ferry services and poor road conditions, with frequent suspensions forcing commuters onto the congested Likoni crossing or dangerous alternative routes, particularly during the rainy season.
Persons with Disabilities bear an even heavier burden, as Mtongwe’s ferry ramps and boarding areas remain largely inaccessible, falling far short of the disability-friendly standards maintained at the larger Likoni channel.
Likoni Ferry, on the other hand, has been associated with a number of demises, with reports of passengers reportedly slipping off and falling into the ocean waters.
The crossing frequently serves over 300,000 pedestrians and 6,000 vehicles daily, leading to occasional injuries and safety scares during chaotic boardings.
During the five-day development tour, President William Ruto also took the opportunity to address the problem of squatters, planning to distribute over 200,000 title deeds to over one million families.
He has instructed the Ministry of Land to subdivide the land to streamline the issuance of title deeds.
