This archive report was first published on 8 October 2019.
On October 6, 2019, the Indian Naval forces arrived in Mombasa port to assist the Kenyan Navy in retrieving the bodies of the Likoni ferry tragedy victims.
According to Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) Chairman Dan Mwaz, the Indian Navy agreed to help on one condition: declaring the Likoni area a military zone before starting the operation.
Following a directive from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga to stop dredging in the area until the victims' bodies are retrieved, the Kenyan government decided to give room for the divers to carry out the search operation without disturbance.
As part of the operation, the government has also hired Southern Engineering Company (SECO), a South African company, to assist in the retrieval mission.
Members of the public will be banned from accessing the area until the multi-agency team retrieves the bodies.
