This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
At least 48 hours have passed since the Likoni ferry tragedy, which claimed two lives, and the government has yet to retrieve the bodies and a saloon car from the Indian Ocean.
According to a statement by Col. (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna, the government's spokesperson, the poor weather, the strategic nature of the Likoni channel, and heavy commuter traffic into Mombasa island have hindered the rescue efforts.
However, Oguna assured that the government has initiated a rescue effort and mobilized a multi-agency rescue team comprising divers and experts from the Kenya Navy, Kenya Ferry Services Ltd, Kenya Ports Authority, the Kenya Coast Guard service, and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries research institute.
"The team has been working round the clock since the day of the accident. It's unfortunate that the recovery efforts are still ongoing," Oguna added.
The Kenya Ferry Services revealed that the two areas identified as the position of the wreckage of the Likoni Ferry tragedy are around 60m deep.
Mariam Kidenga, 35, and her four-year-old daughter Amanda Mutheu were onboard the Toyota ISIS when the incident occurred. The Toyota ISIS motor vehicle plunged into the Indian Ocean while aboard the MV Harambee ferry on Sunday evening.
As the country prepares to showcase its military strength, including a navy unit, Kenyans have questioned the slow pace of retrieving the bodies.
Col. Rtd Oguna said that the government was aware of the accident and has so far contacted the family of the deceased.
"We condole with the bereaved family and we wish to state that we have been in contact with the family and will provide any assistance that the family may need," Oguna said.
He added that the government was putting in place measures to avert such accidents in future.
