This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
On October 12, 2019, the recovery of Mariam Kighenda and her daughter's bodies from the Likoni ferry tragedy was finally completed after 13 days of efforts by the government and a multi-agency team.
However, the operation was almost derailed due to a confrontation between the Kenya Navy and a team of professional divers hired to assist in the recovery.
According to sources, the Kenya Navy had asked the team to let them take the credit for the operation's success, threatening them with dire consequences if they did not comply.
It was only after the intervention of Mombasa Governor Ali Joho that the four foreign professional divers from Subsea Services Limited rejoined the operation, allowing the recovery to be completed.
Kenya Navy's actions have been widely criticized, with many questioning their motives and competence in the face of a national tragedy.
