This archive report was first published on 10 October 2019.
On Thursday, October 10, 2019, a multi-agency team, including Kenya Navy divers, expert divers from South Africa, and Kenya Ports Authority personnel, will begin the mission to retrieve the sunken vehicle from the Indian Ocean.
According to Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna, the team has verified that the object located on the ocean floor is the ill-fated vehicle that slid off MV Harambee on Sunday, September 29.
"We have ascertained that the number plate of the car in the water is KCB 289C; which is similar to the one in question. We have also checked on CCTV footage when the car was on the ferry and confirmed the number plates," Oguna said.
The operation, which has taken at least 10 days, has been hindered by poor visibility, rain, underwater currents, and murky waters.
Once the vehicle is pulled out of the water, investigators will be able to ascertain whether or not it contains the bodies of Mariam Kighenda, 35, and her four-year-old daughter Amanda Mutheu.
Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna was hopeful that by 3pm on Thursday, the car would have been pulled out to confirm if it contained the bodies of the two occupants.
"For now we cannot specify on the time that it will take to retrieve the car from the ocean but we will eventually get it out. After getting hold of the vehicle we will then establish whether or not it contains the bodies of the two occupants. We are very hopeful that the bodies are there," Oguna added.
