This archive report was first published on 12 October 2019.
On October 11, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta condoled with the family of John Wambua, whose wife Mariam Kighenda and daughter Amanda Mutheu tragically lost their lives in the Likoni ferry disaster.
The President's message of condolence came after a multi-agency team, comprising various entities, successfully completed the search and retrieval of the ill-fated car and bodies of the departed.
The wreckage of the vehicle, a Toyota ISIS, was pulled out shortly after 4pm on Friday, bringing to a close the painful search for Mariam Kighenda, 35, and her 4-year-old daughter. The vehicle had slid off the ferry MV Harambee on the evening of September 29 and plunged into the ocean.
President Kenyatta expressed regret over the unfortunate incident and assured all Kenyans that efforts are being made to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future.
He noted that besides the ongoing revamp of ferry services, the proposed Likoni Gate Bridge, the ongoing construction of the Dongo Kundu by-pass, and the completion of the Samburu-Kinango-Kwale Road will help ease the pressure on sea crossing between Mombasa Island and the South Coast.
President Kenyatta commended the multi-agency team for their relentless efforts in ensuring the long, tedious, and risky undertaking was a success. He assured the family of Mr. Wambua that the Government will continue supporting them as they mourn their beloved kin.
On the day of the retrieval, Governor Hassan Joho and his deputy William Kingi joined Transport Principal Secretary Esther Koimet during the last day of the recovery mission, which ended successfully.
My deepest condolences and sympathies go out to the family and relatives who have endured 13 painful days of waiting. May the Almighty God rest their souls in eternal peace.
— Governor Hassan Joho (@HassanAliJoho) October 11, 2019
